Written question asked by George Osborne (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2005. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will list the items of art purchased by the Government Art Collection since 1997; and what the cost of each item was. (List in Library Dep 05/302). - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the items of art purchased by the Government Art Collection since 1997; and what the cost of each item was. [215111] Estelle Morris: The works of art purchased by the Government Art Collection (GAC) since 2 May 1997 are listed in a separate document. I am arranging for copies of the document to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The information about prices paid is commercially sensitive. It is not the GAC's practice to publish the prices paid for individual works of art purchased directly from the artist, individual or from a dealer as information of this nature might prejudice the commercial interests both of the GAC in its purchasing activities generally and of the relevant artist, individual or dealer. This practice is consistent with the practice of the national collections. However, the prices paid for works of art acquired at auction are published by the auction houses, and in these cases are listed in the document referred to above. The Government Art Collection is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; its acquisition policy is guided by the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection which is a non- departmental public body. Members are both independent and ex-officio, including the directors of the National Galleries.

Secondary information