HC Deb 08 April 1986 vol 95 cc86-7W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the objects and property accepted in satisfaction of a capital transfer tax during the whole of the financial year ended 31 March; if, in listing them, he will specify (a) the amount of tax satisfied in each case, (b) whether any offer of objects carried conditions as to destination, (c) the dates in each case of the recommendations received by him from the Museums and Galleries Commission for the acceptance of objects, (d) the total for the financial year of the tax thus satisfied and (e) the means by which that total has been covered in the public accounts; and whether a press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries comprising the information given in his reply.

Mr. Luce

The following items have been accepted in satisfaction of capital transfer tax during the financial year ended 31 March 1986.

Work of art/land Condition as to allocation Date recommended by Museums and Galleries Commission
Photographs associated with the late Marquess Curzon of Kedleston India Office and Records (now part of the British Library) 30 March 1984
Chattels at Mount Edgcumbe In situ 9 May 1985
Collar chain of a KCMG 30 August 1985
Land at Pond Wood n.a.
Chattels at Hagley Hall In situ 20 December 1985
Land at Coldharbour Common n.a.
Sir Arthur Bryant correspondence Imperial War Museum 21 January 1986
Nine paintings by Ben Nicholson 19 September 1985
Hans Arp bronze sculpture 23 January 1986
Archive from the Dukes of Portland and Newcastle 26 September 1985

The amount of tax satisfied in individual cases is confidential. The total tax satisfied during the year is £2,366,707. It has been covered in public accounts by the allocation of £2 million to the joint Votes of the Department of the Environment and the Office of Arts and Libraries. In addition, as I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Mr. Wardle) on 25 March, a call was made on the public expenditure reserve in accordance with arrangements announced by the then Minister for the Arts on 26 July 1985. Provision was made for this through a spring Supplementary Estimate, which was given Royal Assent on 18 March 1986.

A press notice will be issued giving the information in this reply.