§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Minister for the Arts if there have been any items accepted in lieu of tax or allocated since his last announcement on 31 January,Official Report, column 584.
§ Mr. RentonSince that announcement, I am pleased to inform the House that five further offers have been accepted. These consist of a collection of paintings and drawings by Alexander Runciman, a collection of papers relating to the geologist George Bellas Greenough, a watercolour by Whistler, a collection of musical instruments and two paintings by Nasmyth. These offers satisfied £196,000, £26,600, £7,000, £126,956 and £56,000 tax respectively. No decision has yet been taken on the allocation of these items except for the Nasmyth paintings, which will go to the Whitworth art gallery, Manchester in accordance with the condition on which the offer was made.
I am also pleased to announce the allocation of three offers previously accepted in lieu of tax. A painting by Sickert entitled "Girl at a Window, Little Rachel", will be allocated to the Tate gallery, a collection of works by and relating to John Piper will go to the Wolverhampton art gallery and a collection of photographs by and of Cecil Beaton will go to the National Portrait gallery.