HC Deb 28 October 2003 vol 412 cc178-9W
Norman Baker

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many works of art from the Palace of Westminster Collection are(a) public display in the House, (b) on display in the House in areas to which the public do not have regular access, (c) on loan and (d) in storage. [135094]

Sir Archy Kirkwood

The House of Commons Commission is responsible only for matters affecting this House. However, I understand that there are 6,708 works of art in the permanent collections of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, of which approximately 10 per cent. is in storage at any one time. One work is currently on loan from the House of Commons collection.

There are 417 works of art on display on the route taken by visitor tours, in the committee rooms and committee corridor in the Palace, and in the committee rooms and surrounding areas in Portcullis House. These areas may be visited by unaccompanied members of the public or by members of the public on organised tours. Many works of art are on display in catering facilities or other areas to which the public may have access if accompanied by a passholder. If any member of the public wishes to view a specific work of art from either of the collections, efforts are made to arrange this.

Norman Baker

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent by the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art on the acquisition of works of art in each year from 1997 to date; and how much has been realised through sales of works of art. [135095]

Sir Archy Kirkwood

Expenditure from the House of Commons Administration Estimate since 1997 on acquisitions for the House of Commons collection is shown in the following table:

£
1997–98 50,126.16
1998–99 50,138.28
1999–2000 49,792.62
2000–01 50,001.65
2001–02 50,000.00
2002–03 86,697.91

Expenditure from the House of Commons Administration Estimate since 1997 for works of art for Portcullis House is shown in the following table:

£
1997–98 3,778.05
1998–99 18,500.00
1999–2000 90,711.30
2000–01 99,823.80
2001–02 96,497.16
2002–03 500.00

There have been no sales of works of art since 1997.