§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to recover missing items of his Department's art collection; and if he will make a statement. [34763]
§ Mr. SpellarWe continue to make every effort to recover missing works of art. On two occasions, in December 1994 and September 1996, memorandums have been issued to all staff, listing the missing works of art and asking staff to assist in their recovery. In addition, photographs of missing works of art have been published in my Department's staff newspaper. My Department's works of art staff are continuing to seek missing works of art by examination of records, searches of our buildings and inquiries made throughout my Department. The Ministry of Defence Police assist in this task when required and are at present investigating a case which could lead to the recovery of a painting. Since the issue of the first memorandum, seventeen missing works of art have been found and twenty-one works of art have been otherwise accounted for.