§ Mr. FauldsTo ask the Minister for Arts why he did not reply, before the House adjourned on 29 July for the recess, to the priority question addressed to him by the hon. Member for Warley, East for answer on 22 July; and whether he will now answer the second part of that question by indicating any bodies or individuals, other than the trustees and directors of the National gallery, the Tate gallery and the National Portrait gallery, whose opinions he would regard as relevant and of value on the subject of imposition by statute of powers to sell paintings vested in them on the trustees of those three particular institutions.
§ Mr. LuceI much regret that, due to an administrative oversight, I did not reply to this question before the House adjourned on 29 July.
I published a consultative paper on disposal powers of national museums and galleries on 5 August this year. It has been circulated to a wide variety of museum, gallery and heritage interests for comment. I shall give careful consideration to the views of all interested parties.