§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport m hat discussions he has had with the British Museum about exhibiting the Lindisfarne Gospels in the north of England: and if he will seek the inclusion of Holy Island in any future programme to exhibit the Gospels outside London. [156969]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Lindisfarne Gospels are a national treasure. They are the property of the British Library under the British Library Act 1972. We appreciate the particular importance of the Gospels to the people of the North-East where they have been exhibited recently. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently met a delegation, led by the Bishop of Durham. Following that meeting, my right hon. Friend has written to the Chairman of the British. Library inviting them to discuss with the delegation the feasibility of exhibiting the Gospels in the North-East on a mare regular basis. No doubt the question of an exhibition of the Gospels on Holy Island could form part of such a discussion.