§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has held concerning the retention of Chambré Hardman's photographs, negatives and house in Liverpool; and what was the outcome of those discussions. [138749]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthWe acknowledge that the Chambré Hardman collection is of national importance and support the wish to ensure its conservation and presentation to the public. My Department has had discussions with a number of interested parties, including the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, the National Museum of Film, Photography and Television, and the North West Museum Service, to ensure the preservation of the collection and the house.
There are a number of potential solutions for the long-term care and public presentation of both the collection, and Chambré Hardman's house in Liverpool. It is now for the Trustees of the Chambré Hardman Trust to assess all of the available options; to determine which of these is the most realistically able to meet its objectives; and to develop a viable business case for the preferred solution.