§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) pursuant to his answer, 30 November 1992,Official Report, column 43, what definition is used of works of art;
(2) pursuant to his answer, 30 November 1992, Official Report, column 43, when the computerised inventory of the works of art in the occupied royal palaces was begun; and when it is expected that the exercise will be completed;
(3) if he will publish an inventory of the contents of the occupied royal palaces, excluding works of art, which are public property and not owned by the sovereign.
§ Mr. BrookeWork on preparing a computerised inventory of the royal collection, which is being carried out by the royal collection department of the royal household, began in early 1991, and it is expected that the exercise will be completed in 1997. This is a major undertaking, involving the individual inspection, numbering and recording of every object. Information about the contents of the royal palaces, other than works of art, is not available.
The inventory will cover pictures, drawings, books, furniture, sculpture, metalwork, textiles and ceramics.