Millais' "Mariana at the Moated Grange"

HL Deb 03 September 1998 vol 593 cc39-40WA

Lord Lloyd-Webber

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What market testing took place to establish the true value of Millais' "Mariana at the Moated Grange" before it was accepted for the nation in lieu of tax. [HL2866]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

In general, when the Museums and Galleries Commission has been informed of the offer of an object in lieu of tax by the Capital Taxes Office, it is required to provide the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with an opinion of the value of the object on the open market. The Commission in turn consults the appropriate experts both in museums and the art trade. Because of taxpayer confidentiality, it would not be appropriate to comment on any particular case.