HC Deb 23 November 1987 vol 123 cc62-3W
104. Mr. Heathcoat-Aniory

To ask the Minister for the Arts what further measures he is taking to encourage the lending of works of art by the national collection.

Mr. Luce

It is a key part of my policy to make the treasures in our national collections more widely accessible. I have had a number of discussions with trustees and directors of national museums and galleries about the scope for increasing the number of works of art they lend to other institutions. Such loans are facilitated by the Government indemnity scheme.

The grant-in-aid for the Museums and Galleries Commission that I announced on 5 November includes increased provision for the new travelling exhibitions unit which will act as a focal point and help develop initiatives for further exhibitions and loans throughout the country. I discussed the plans for the new unit with the commissioners last week.