§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements have been made for the allocation of books and manuscripts accepted under the Finance Acts in lieu of capital transfer tax or estate duty.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsWhen the Government have accepted a book or manuscript in lieu of capital transfer tax or estate duty, it will be for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales, as appropriate, to decide to which public collection the object so accepted should be allocated. To help him reach a decision, the appropriate Minister will normally seek the advice of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts in regard to all manuscripts. Advice on printed books will be sought from a small panel of experts which has been set up specifically for this purpose. I am glad to announce that Mr. Howard Nixon, Librarian of Westminster Abbey Library, has agreed to act as chairman of the panel. The other members are Professor A. D. S. Fowler, Regius Professor of English at Edinburgh University, Mr. G. Thompson, Librarian of the Guildhall Library, City of London, and Professor Glanmor Williams, Professor of History at the University College of Swansea.
Account will be taken of any wishes expressed by a testator or executors in deciding allocations.