§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will set out the criteria that they use to decide on the sale of works of art in possession of government departments; and [HL986]
On which date the decision to sell the silver in the possession of the Privy Council was first made and by whom; on what day the proposed sale was publicly announced; and which of the Government's statutory advisers were consulted on the sale; and [HL987]
Whether there is an inventory of silver in the ownership of government departments; if not, whether they will have one prepared; and, if there is such an inventory, whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House. [HL991]
§ Lord Freybergasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 29 October (H.L. Deb., cols. 1173–76), whether they will set out their procedures for consultation in relation to their programme of asset sales. [HL1067]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyFurther to my answers to Questions on 29 October (Official Report, col. 1173) each government department is responsible for its own assets, including works of art, and for making disposals where appropriate.
Resource accounting and budgeting has required departments to improve the management of assets, and has given them incentives to do so. Among other requirements, departments are now required to record 47WA all their assets in the National Asset Register (published in July 2001 as Cm 5221).
Consultation on the sale of those silver items which had historical associations with the Privy Council was not as wide as it should have been. When works of art 48WA or other heritage assets are to be disposed of, departments should first consult the Cultural Property Unit in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. To ensure that this happens in future, the Treasury will amend its guidance to departments on the disposal of assets.