HL Deb 04 March 1965 vol 263 cc1267-8

3.13 p.m.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they justify, in the present state of the national economy, the spending of £60,000 on the fabrication of Picasso called "The Three Dancers".]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (LORD BOWDEN)

My Lords, the Trustees of the Tate Gallery have entire discretion concerning the purchase of works of art from the money allocated to them.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, in view of the fact that the Treasury make a large contribution to these Galleries, should they not keep a more watchful eye on the one or two individuals who, guided solely by their own idiosyncrasies, choose these pictures?

LORD BOWDEN

My Lords, this is obviously a matter that will excite great interest and controversy, but I believe that when the Government have appointed, as they have, eminent and distinguished artists to advise them about the methods of disposing of the funds allocated to them, they can do no other than trust their judgment. The last thing that the Government should attempt is an analysis of the state of the market in works of art. The budget of the Tate Gallery is about £110,000. So far as I am concerned, we can only leave the Trustees to spend it to the best of their discretion, and we shall have to be content with the results they achieve.

VISCOUNT STUART OF FINDHORN

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he has any knowledge to date as to how many friends of the Tate Gallery have now ceased to be friends?

LORD BOWDEN

My Lords, I should like notice of that question.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, I should like to ask my noble friend one more question. Would he not agree that if to-day Picasso "doodled", and put his name to the "doodle", it would command a large sum from some pseudo-intellectual snob?

LORD BOWDEN

My Lords, certainly I agree. I have forgotten who it was who described a highbrow as a man who looks at a sausage and thinks of Picasso.