HL Deb 26 May 1982 vol 430 cc1154-5

2.49 p.m.

Baroness David

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 whether they will revive the loan exhibition scheme formerly run by a department at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I understand that the Victoria and Albert Museum used to operate a programme of loan exhibitions, but this was run down during the period of the previous Government. Nevertheless, extensive arrangements for loans to the regions are already operated by the national museums and galleries, and my right honourable friend will look for every opportunity to encourage this.

Baroness David

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that reply, and I am very relieved to hear that the national museums are performing this function. Would he not agree that it is the job of our national museums, in particular the V and A, with its collections, to make exhibitions available to areas outside London, especially the provinces and the areas far distant from London where people do not have the opportunity to come to see the collections here?

The Earl of Avon

I would indeed agree with the noble Baroness, my Lords. She might like to know that I am told that loans of various kinds will be going this year from the Victoria and Albert Museum, either directly or under the auspices of the Arts Council, to many regional centres, including Birmingham, Bradford, Burnley, Cambridge, Bristol and Scotland. Indeed, just starting at the Victoria and Albert and then going to Bristol and Southampton under the auspices of the Arts Council is an exhibition of Cotman water colours.

Viscount Eccles

My Lords, while supporting the noble Baroness in her Question, may I ask the Minister whether the Victoria and Albert collection of contem- porary crafts is not one which really could be used more? Because you do not need very many examples; four or five pieces are enough in a school. I wonder whether the Minister does not agree that in the old days these touring exhibitions were rather too ambitious. Something smaller would do a great deal of good.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I will of course draw my noble friend's remarks to the attention of the director. I understand that, in point of fact, on occasions they lend the odd piece, as it were, rather than a full-scale collection.

The Earl of Gosford

My Lords, while supporting both the previous questioners, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether they really wish to see one of our greatest treasure-houses so run down that in fact its wares are not able to be sent to the Provinces adequately? Secondly, are Her Majesty's Government aware that tomorrow the V and A will be publishing a report which Sir Roy Strong feels will make people's hair stand on end?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I do not think the Government agree in any way that anything is being run down in these terms. In fact, we are very proud of the record of our museums at the moment. I of course cannot comment on a report that is being issued tomorrow.

Baroness David

My Lords, would the Minister agree that it is very important that these exhibitions should go not only to museums and galleries but to public libraries and to teacher training colleges and art colleges, so that the general public is exposed to them and is able to see them and, in that way, perhaps, some new recruits to the arts may be obtained; whereas if the exhibitions go only to museums and galleries then the same audiences will see them as see them generally? So I would hope that if these exhibitions are started again they can go to libraries and colleges as well as to museums and galleries.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, again, of course, I will bear the remarks of the noble Baroness in mind and bring them to the attention of the director. I think the difficulties will probably be in the scope and the security of such an operation, but I quite take her point.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, will the interests of the Principality of Wales be borne in mind in this matter; and will arrangements be made reciprocal to those made by the National Museum of Wales, perhaps, which is very active in making its priceless exhibits available to the people?

The Earl of Avon

Of course, my Lords, directly I mentioned Scotland I knew I might be in danger from other sources. I am sure that will be borne in mind.

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