§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on(a) the upkeep and (b) the purchase of works of art in his Department for each financial year since 1992. [117476]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Government Art Collection (GAC), part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, acquires and displays works of art by British artists in major Government buildings in the UK and around the world. In so doing it plays a significant role in promoting British art and culture across diverse and international environments.
The cost of purchases, transport/installation and the conservation and framing of works of art in the Collection 393W are met from the GAC's Annual Programme Vote. Within this overall figure, the amounts spent on each of these elements varies from year to year:
£ Year Upkeep (Conservation and Framing) Purchase 1992–93 148,204 137,843 1993–94 141,022 122,542 1994–95 142,200 127,155 1995–96 158,177 82,471 996–97 123,285 122,826 1997–98 104,100 137,000 1998–99 108,300 126,600 1999–2000 87,350 184,672 The GAC operates across Government, lending its works of art for display in a variety of Departments. Within any given year the number and disposition of its works of art within any given Department varies according to circumstances. It is therefore not possible to break down the figures for upkeep and purchase of works of art in the Collection in relation to the individual Departments in which they are displayed.