Mr. JesseTo ask the Minister for the Arts whether the Government has received a reply to its proposal for the future of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection.
§ Mr. LuceThe trustees of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections Trust have informed the Government that they have decided not to pursue the British proposal at the present time. Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza has entered into preliminary accord with the Spanish Government which is intended to lead to a loan of most of the collection for display in Madrid for a period of up to 10 years. The trustees have decided to try to achieve a full agreement with the Spanish Government along those lines. In these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government have with-drawn their proposal. The Government have said that, should circumstances change and the trustees approach the Government about a long-term location in the United Kingdom, we would be ready to look at the matter afresh.