HC Deb 27 February 1998 vol 307 cc388-9W
Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31557]

Mr. Chris Smith

I am replying on behalf of all the Ministers to whom the hon. Member has addressed her questions.

A total of 186 works of art have been borrowed since 1 May 1997 from or via the Government Art Collection (GAC) for the offices and official residences of the Ministers named in the hon. Member's questions. The basis on which the GAC has made works of art available is exactly the same as under the previous administration.

Other than the GAC, the following organisations have lent works of art via the GAC:

  • Arts Council
  • National Galleries of Scotland
  • Glasgow Museums and Galleries
  • Tate Gallery
  • Henry Moore Foundation
  • The United Oxford and Cambridge University Clubs; and one private trust which has asked to remain anonymous.

Under the normal Treasury rules by which the Government bear their own risk, the Government Art Collection does not insure its own works of art, so it has no insurance value for any of these works, or those from national collections. Such works form the vast majority of loans. In general, works on loan from private lenders and from institutions that are not directly Government-funded are covered by the Government Indemnity Scheme.

Formal advice on the selection of works of art is given by the Government Art Collection, and where appropriate from staff and representatives of the other lending organisations.

It is normal practice to make works available for public exhibition on request from organisers of appropriate exhibitions. Since 1 May 1997, from the offices and official residences of the Ministers named in the hon. Member's question, three requests for works to be included in temporary public exhibitions have been received and met, and a further three are scheduled in the near future.

Works in all Government offices are changed as and when circumstances require. A small proportion is changed on a regular scheduled basis.