HC Deb 11 April 1989 vol 150 cc458-60W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the items proposed by the London residuary body to be transferred from the Greater London council's heritage collection to the corporation of the City of London; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if his Department has given consent to the transfer of items from the Greater London council's heritage collection to the City of London under the terms of section 67(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1985 as amended by section 162(2)(c) of the Education Reform Act 1988; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what proposals he has received from the London residuary body in respect of the Greater London council's heritage collection under the terms of section 67(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1985 as amended; and what decisions he has made.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: The London residuary body has proposed the substantive transfer of portraits and paintings to the Corporation of the City of London. We have made no decisions yet.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the terms of the deed of gift made between the London residuary body and the City of London in respect of items transferred from the Greater London council's heritage collection.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: The Corporation of the City of London has agreed to make items reasonably available to the public either by display or, if stored, by inspection on request. Items may also be loaned for public exhibitions.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice was given by his Department to the London residuary body in respect of the transfer of items from the Greater London council's heritage collection to the City of London.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: No advice was sought or given.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the terms of the loan agreement between the London residuary body and the City of London in respect of items from the Greater London council's heritage collection.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: Terms relate inter alia, to insurance, safe custody, conservation, public display, inspection of stored items, loans for public exhibition and return to the LRB in the event of a permanent transfer not being effected.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what items have been transferred from the Greater London council's heritage collection by the London residuary body to the Victoria and Albert museum.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: Three items have been given to the Victoria and Albert museum: an embroidered panel entitled "Flint" by Diana Springall, a porcelain polar bear, and a Victorian carved corner chair.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of each item from the Greater London council's heritage collection sold by the London residuary body at auction: and how much was realised for each item and in total.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: Four items realised in all a sum of £30,195: an antique bookcase, an antique desk and two clocks.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the items transferred from the Greater London council's heritage collection by the London residuary body to(a) the London borough of Bromley and (b) the Thames Water authority; and what price was paid for each item in total.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 4 April 1989]: Trophies and memorabilia related to Crystal palace were given to the London borough of Bromley as functional successor to the GLC for Crystal palace. A painting of the Thames barrier was given to the Thames water authority as functional successor to the GLC for the Thames barrier.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each of the bodies which have received or are likely to receive items from the Greater London council's heritage collection since 1 April 1986.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding reply 4 April 1989]: The London borough of Bromley, the Corporation of the City of London, the London borough of Harrow, the Inner London education authority, the London fire and civil defence authority, the Thames water authority, the Victoria and Albert museum, and the purchasers of items disposed of at auction.