§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the formalities for the Princes Gate collection of paintings and drawings to pass into the possession of the Courtauld Institute of Art, London University, have been completed; whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding arrangements for providing public access to this collection on a temporary basis; and whether he can give some indication of plans under consideration for ensuring public access on a permanent basis.
§ Mr. ChannonI am pleased to announce that arrangements have now been made to secure the future of this most valuable collection at the Courtauld Institute. This has been made possible by the acceptance, with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, of six drawings from the collection in lieu of capital transfer tax at a net cost of£628,887. The major part of the collection will be on public exhibition at the institute from 17 July. Plans for the collection to be displayed on a longer term basis are currently being explored by the institute.