THE NATIONAL GALLERY AND TURNER'S FIRST ART BEQUEST

Early day motion 253, tabled 6 June 2005 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House is concerned that the generous intentions of J.M.W. Turner's first art bequest to the nation are being blocked by the illegal actions of trustees of the National Gallery and that, as a result, the people of the UK who are the owners of the art, are being impoverished by lack of informed access to an art bequest intended to enrich their lives; and, in view of the trustees' illegal actions, calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to order the National Gallery to display properly Turner's bequest dedicated to the Queen by 11th June, Her Majesty's official birthday, to explain and sustain Turner's intentions for the benefit of the nation and to review a trustee system which leaves the National Gallery unaccountable to the British people.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 3, Conservative 1.