Libraries: Closures

Debate between Earl of Clancarty and Lord Tope

Tuesday 19th February 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Tope (LD)]

My Lords—

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, libraries are not the only public cultural assets suffering from the Government’s continuing cuts to local councils. Is the Minister aware of the intended sale next month by Hertfordshire County Council of 428 artworks, including work by Barbara Hepworth, Julian Trevelyan and other well-known British artists, despite a petition signed by local people to stop the sale? What is the department’s response to this sad and still avoidable selling off of publicly owned work?