§ 57. Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his reviewing committee on the export of works of art has advised him whether the picture of the Duke of Wellington by Goya should be granted an export licence.
§ 58. Mr. A. Royleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he took any steps, before the auction, to acquire the portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Goya, in view of its great artistic merit.
§ 59. Sir T. Beamishasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer from whom he sought professional artistic advice before deciding not to bid for Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington; and what was the nature of the advice given.
§ 60. Miss Harvie Andersonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation he has had with his Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art regarding a licence to export Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington.
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§ 61. Sir R. Nugentasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer his reason for refusing a grant for the purchase of Goya's painting of the Duke of Wellington, in view of the fact that he recently authorised a grant of £163,500 towards the purchase of two Renoir paintings.
§ 63. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to prohibit the export of Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington, and to make funds available for its purchase on behalf of the nation.
§ 64. Colonel Sir Tufton Beamishasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received an application for a licence to export Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI explained the present position in respect of this picture in reply to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle) on 15th June. An application for a licence for the export of the picture has since been received and will be considered by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art as soon as possible.
It is not for Her Majesty's Government but for the Trustees of national collections to decide whether or not to seek to acquire any picture. I understand that the Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery authorised a bid at auction for this picture but were not successful. Attempts had previously been made to buy the picture for a public collection by private treaty.
§ 62. Sir H. Kerrasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was informed in advance of the proposed sale of the portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Goya; and whether he will consider amending the existing procedure so that prospective purchasers would be given a clear warning that a particular work of art offered for sale would not receive an export licence.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI was aware of the impending sale of this picture. The second part of the Question raises an important issue, but the Waverley Committee advised against the giving of advance warnings in particular cases. Practice has been based on this rule and I am not satisfied that it would be right to alter it.