§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what stocks of(a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by her Department; if she will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans she has to sell further such assets over the period of the current comprehensive spending review; and if she will make a statement. [10843]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 31 October 2001]: The Government Art Collection is the only collection of art for which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has direct responsibility. The collection at present comprises approximately 12,000 works of art. None of these has been sold over the last three years, nor are there any plans to do so. The Department holds no stocks of antiques or fine wines.