HC Deb 23 March 1979 vol 964 cc800-1W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will consult the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries as to its views on the 10 per cent. buyer's premium exacted by Messrs. Christie's and Sotheby's, in the light of the fact that public money is expended in this respect.

Mr. Oakes

The buyer's premium charged by Christie's and Sotheby's applies much more widely than just to objects which may be purchased by museums and is now being investigated by the Office of Fair Trading.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will publish in the Official Report the sums paid by the Victoria and Albert Museum both on its own behalf and on behalf of other museums and galleries whom they have assisted financially to Messrs. Christie's and Sotheby's by way of buyer's premium in respect of works of art purchased at their auctions.

Mr. Oakes

I regret that the details are not available in the form requested by my hon. Friend and could not be assembled without disproportionate cost. Of the purchases made in the past year by the Victoria and Albert Museum with its own grant, and by local or university museums with assistance from the central fund administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum, the vast majority were not made at Christie's or Sotheby's.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will introduce legislation to prohibit the charging of buyers' premiums by auctioneers on their sales.

Mr. John Fraser

I have been asked to reply.

I have no plans to introduce such legislation at present.