§ 43. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will encourage the lending of exhibits from the Victoria and Albert Museum and other national museums and galleries to provincial centres.
§ Mr. OakesBoth my right hon. Friend, who is responsible for the collections in her Department, and the Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries, would like to increase the number of objects which are lent to local collections. At present, about 4,000 objects are so lent. There have been notable developments in recent years, including the arrangement of a continuing exhibition of objects from the National Portrait Gallery at Montacute House, a property of the National Trust. There are, however, difficulties concerning the safe keeping and insurance of such objects, and my noble Friend is considering how these problems can be dealt with. The final decision in the case of the trustee museums, must rest with the trustees.