Arts and Cultural Services

Lord Cormack Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd March 2020 Lords Chamber

[Earl of Devon (CB)]

My Lords, the country’s private historic houses welcome—

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

We have not had a question yet. I thank the noble Earl very much. Does my noble friend accept that, where a wonderful purpose-built gallery and grade 2 listed building—such as the Usher Gallery in Lincoln—is at risk, the local authority has a duty to consider every possible means of maintaining it, and perhaps to explore the creation of a trust to which the gallery can be transferred? Does she accept that to deprive people of a gallery that is the most important benefaction the city has ever received would be a very serious step indeed?

[Baroness Barran]

I hear the concern about the situation in Lincoln in my noble friend’s voice. I feel, however, that it is up to the local authority to look at every possible option, as he says.