§ Mr. Spellerasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the late Henry W. Williamson's manuscripts and other literary papers regarding both their content and eventual destination; and if he will consider depositing them at the North Devon Athenaeum in Barnstaple.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy hon. Friend the Minister of State, Treasury announced on 27 March that a collection of the late Henry W. Williamson's manuscripts and other literary papers had been accepted by the Government in lieu of capital transfer tax. The collection includes manuscript notes for and drafts of some of Henry Williamson's finest works, including a large amount of material for the 15 volume work "Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight", and the galley proofs for "Tarka the Otter".
I shall decide on the allocation of the papers after taking advice from the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. It is of course open to the North Devon Athenaeum, Barnstaple, to apply to the Royal Commission for consideration as a possible recipient of the papers.