§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will undertake an investigation into the number of painting belonging to national collections but hidden from view for many years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherMany of the pictures held in national collections are not available for permanent display but are accessible for study by any interested person. Some of these collections have arrangements for the loan of pictures to regional museums and galleries where security and other conditions are suitable and provided that the borrowers can arrange adequate insurance cover. I am anxious to encourage this where it can be done without undue risk to the object itself or to the 35W value of the study collections. The Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries has been asked to consider and advise on the whole question.