§ 43. Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is aware of the disquiet arising from the sale of the Dulwich College Picture Gallery's Domenichino for the purpose of raising funds required to maintain the Gallery; and what steps she proposes to take to prevent the necessity in future for pictures in this collection to be sold to raise funds for maintenance purposes.
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§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI have seen correspondence in the Press about the sale of this picture. The administration of this gallery, which is not maintained out of public funds, is the responsibility of the trustees.
§ 44. Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the considerations which determined her decision not to consult with any local organisations, art authorities or other interested parties before approving the sale of the Dulwich College Picture Gallery's Domenichino.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeMy right hon. Friend considered that the views of these bodies would not be relevant to the question she had to decide in the exercise of her functions under Section 23 of the Charities Act, 1960.