§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements she has made for compensating the national museums and galleries in the event of loss of, or damage to, objects they have lent for exhibitions arranged by the Arts Council and British Council.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIt has been agreed that when a national museum or gallery makes a loan for an exhibition arranged by the Arts Council or the British Council, the Treasury will, subject to individual approval in each case, give a guarantee that parliamentary authority will be sought at the next appropriate stage in the supply procedure to make good the full extent of the financial cost of any damage or loss, without subsequent adjustment to the normal funds available to the museum or gallery and, in particular, its purchase grants. The guarantee will give the museums and galleries, subject to parliamentary approval, a full equivalent of the financial safeguard against loss or damage which could have been obtained if the Arts Council or British Council as borrowers had taken out commercial insurance.