§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what stocks of(a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by his Department; if he will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans he has to sell further such assets over the period of the current Comprehensive Spending Review; and if he will make a statement. [10838]
§ Mr. WillsThe stocks of antiques, paintings and fine wines held by the Lord Chancellor's Department are as follows:
- Antiques: 484 items valued at £1,405,062,65
- Paintings: 78 items valued at £395,000
- Fine wines: nil.
There have been no disposals in the last three years and no disposals are planned for the next three years. It is not the Department's policy to capitalise non-operational antiques such as paintings and works of art. Such items are not therefore included in our National Asset Register entry. The information given here is taken from a recent valuation exercise, undertaken both to assess the materiality of such items and for stewardship purposes.
Operational antiques are included in the register under furniture and fittings.