I wish to ask the President a question of which he has had private notice. It is in the following terms:—"To ask the President whether he is aware that the Duveen Gallery of Modern Art is being opened by His Majesty on 26th instant; whether the collection of pictures which Sir Hugh Lane presented to the City of Dublin are being exhibited at this Gallery, and whether any undertaking has been given that these pictures will be permanently returned to Dublin in accordance with Sir Hugh Lane's last wishes."
THE LANE PICTURES.
I have had no notice of this question.
I think the President has had notice, and I understood you had notice also.
The question appears to be in order, but I have had no notice, and notice should have been furnished to me as well as to the President. That is the practice.
If that is so. I apologise to you.
My attention has been called to the Press announcement regarding the opening of the new Modern Foreign and Sargent Galleries at Millbank on Saturday next, but I have no information as to whether the Lane Collection is to be exhibited in these Galleries. No undertaking has been given that the pictures will be returned permanently to Dublin.
Does the President emphasise the word "permanently," or is there any undertaking regarding the long-continued loan of the pictures to Dublin?
I am not in a position to say anything except that the pictures will not be returned permanently to Dublin. I have no undertaking.