HC Deb 19 January 1978 vol 942 cc296-7W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total amount at present covered by certificate of indemnity issued by national museums and galleries in the United Kingdom to the British Rail pension fund, or its representatives, in respect of long-term loans of works of art.

Mr. Oakes

It is not the practice of the national museums and galleries with which my right hon. Friend is concerned to publish information about the total amount covered by certificates of indemnity in respect of works of art placed on loan by an individual lender, as this is confidential between the lender and the borrower.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will specify the sums paid under certificates of indemnity issued by the national museums and galleries in the United Kingdom in respect of claims for damage sustained by objects lent to them during the 10 years from 1967 to 1977 inclusive, broken down into the individual years, and divided in each year between (a) claims satisfied in respect of long-term loans to the permanent collections, and (b) claims satisfied in respect of loans to temporary exhibitions.

Mr. Oakes

Payments under certificates of indemnity for damage to objects loaned to national museums and galleries in England in the 10 financial years 1967–68 to 1976–77 are listed below. Payments made by institutions in other parts of the

Percentage changes on 1976
1977 Increase Decrease
British Museum 4,123,710 4.0
Science Museum (including National Railway Museum) 4,801,034 10.7
Victoria and Albert Museum 2,339,593 50.8
Imperial War Museum 1,089,559 50.0
National Gallery 2,685,819 14.1
National Maritime Museum 1,250,000 26.5
National Portrait Gallery 534,653 65.1
Tate Gallery 1,005,525 19.5
Wallace Collection 158,280 4.8
British Museum (Natural History) 3,192,817 18.1
Geological Museum 510,342 2.9