§ Lord Freybergasked Her Majesty's Government:
What public access arrangements have been made to view paintings and works of art on loan from national collections to government departments, including Nos. 10 and 11 Downing Street and the Lord Chancellor's Residence. [HL699]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe works of art on loan from national collections to government departments are viewed by the wide variety of visitors to these buildings. Members of the public who have a particular need (for example relating to research or family connections) to see a particular work on loan can do so by writing to the Government Art Collection, which administers loans to government departments, including Nos. 10 and 11 Downing Street. The request is then forwarded to the appropriate department, with whom the final decision on granting access rests.
The Government Art Collection does not administer loans of paintings from national collections to the Lord Chancellor's Residence. Discussions are currently under 168WA way regarding public access once the refurbishment of the Residence is complete.