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Holiday Lets

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to prevent properties bought under the right to buy legislation from being let to holidaymakers for extended periods on a commercial basis; and if he will make a statement. [85895]

Mr. Raynsford: We are not aware of a widespread problem though we shall consider any proposals that may be put to us by the local authority involved. Meanwhile it could be premature and prejudicial to comment on an issue that is likely to go back before the courts.

Walton Bridge

Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he was formally asked by Surrey County Council if he planned to call in their planning application for a temporary replacement for the existing Walton Bridge across the Thames; and when he expects to take a decision. [85903]

Mr. Raynsford: Surrey County Council referred the planning application to the Government Office for the South East in March 1999. We expect to issue a decision shortly.

Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what central Government grant will be made available for the construction of a temporary replacement to the existing Walton Bridge across the Thames; and when he expects it to be released to Surrey County Council. [85902]

Mr. Raynsford: In the local transport capital expenditure settlement announced in December last year, Surrey County Council was allocated £2,602,000 for bridge strengthening in 1999-2000. The allocation included £1,590,000 for the A244 Thames Crossing at Walton.

Half of this allocation will be paid as Transport Supplementary Grant and will be released to the County Council in four equal quarterly instalments during the financial year. The remaining resources have been allocated as Annual Capital Guideline.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Museums

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to transfer responsibility for any of his Department's sponsored museums to the Greater London Authority. [80236]

Mr. Chris Smith [holding answer 13 April 1999]: The Greater London Authority Bill, currently before Parliament, does not provide for the transfer of responsibility for any of the museums and galleries which are sponsored by my Department. However, it is my intention to transfer to the Greater London Authority the responsibility for making some appointments to the Boards of museums which were previously funded by the Greater London Council. I am considering with colleagues the extent to which the Greater London

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Authority might be given further responsibilities in respect of museums and galleries in order to enhance the cultural role for the Authority.

Works of Art (Nazi Period)

Dr. Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has (a) to put a time limit on claims in respect of works of art of dubious provenance from the Nazi period and (b) to seek amendment of the law governing de-accessioning of museum holdings; [85241]

(2) how many works of art of dubious provenance from the Nazi period have so far been identified in British museums; when further inventories of such items will be published; and what plans he has to publicise these inventories; [85244]

(3) how many museums are undertaking inventories of works of art in their possession of dubious provenance from the Nazi period; and what plans he has to increase the number of museums involved in the inventory process; [85243]

(4) what is his policy on works of art in British museums that are of dubious provenance from the Nazi period. [85242]

Mr. Alan Howarth: The Government have asked members of the National Museum Directors' Conference to examine their collections with a view to finding out whether any items may have been looted during World War II and the Nazi period. Any claims will need to be considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis.

Some works have been identified which have gaps in their provenance, but this does not necessarily mean that they are the result of spoliation during the Holocaust and World War II. Research is continuing and it is hoped that updated information about the progress of this research will be published later this year.

The National Museum Directors' Conference has published Action Plans for 23 national museums, galleries and libraries, and I have deposited a copy of these in the Library. The Museums and Galleries Commission has recently issued a Statement of Principles to all Registered Museums. This recommends action to be taken by non-national institutions. The Museums and Galleries Commission will also be having discussions with those non-national institutions which have major art collections about how they might approach the issue of research into provenance. I have deposited a copy of this Statement of Principles in the Library.

The possibility of a time limit on claims is an issue which will need to be discussed with museums and galleries and other interests. However, the Statement of Principles published by the National Museums Directors' Conference last November suggests that an institution which has fully publicised the details of a work which it believes might have been the result of spoliation during the Nazi period and World War II would normally expect to receive a claim within six years. I have deposited a copy of this Statement of Principles in the Library. The question of de-accessioning will be considered on a case by case basis if, and when, there are successful claims for objects to be returned.

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Public Libraries (Funding)

Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the local authorities which have applied for funding from (a) the Capital Modernisation Fund for IT facilities in public libraries and (b) the National Lottery Opportunity Fund for funding for libraries, in each case since its introduction; and what sums were awarded. [85315]

Mr. Alan Howarth: The detailed criteria for these programmes have still to be finalised, so no library authorities have yet been invited to bid.

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council

Ms Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department will publish the report of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Design Group; and if he will make a statement about his plans for implementing the recommendations in the report. [86305]

Mr. Chris Smith: My Department is today placing copies of the report in the Libraries of both Houses. A copy is also being made accessible on my Department's website, www.culture.gov.uk. The Department would be pleased to receive any views from interested parties about the report, as it takes forward the process of establishing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council by 1 April 2000. There are a number of issues arising from the report which affect the libraries, museums and archives communities and which my Department will be discussing with bodies representing those communities over the coming months. To start this process, I have written to the National Museum Directors' Conference to invite them to propose ways in which the national museums and galleries, and the British Library, can assist the new body in its work.

Detailed decisions about the role and priorities of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council will be made by the Chair and other board members once they have been appointed later this year.

BBC

Mr. Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in relation to the funding of the BBC's commercial activities; [85507]

(2) if he will list the arrangements under which the BBC is accountable to his Department for its commercial activities. [85346]

Janet Anderson: The BBC Charter and Agreement provide a framework for ensuring that the Corporation's commercial activities are funded, operated and accounted for separately from its public service activities. It is for the BBC's Board of Governors to ensure that the BBC meets its obligations in this area. Any commercial activities undertaken by the BBC are subject to the same UK and EU competition law as its competitors. The BBC publishes separate annual reports and accounts for its commercial subsidiaries BBC Worldwide Ltd. and BBC Resources Ltd. These are submitted to the Secretary of State and presented to Parliament.

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The Secretary of State's approval is required before the BBC can provide new commercial services itself or enter into joint ventures with commercial partners to provide new services.

Mr. Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999, Official Report, column 142, on the BBC, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's rules governing borrowing by the BBC and its commercial subsidiaries. [85892]

Janet Anderson: Article 3(w) of the BBC's Royal Charter governs borrowing. As in all other aspects of the BBC's remit, its commercial activities are subject to the Royal Charter and Agreement. This is available in the Library of the House.

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