A BILL to change the rules governing the display of Glasgow's world-famous Burrell Collection has begun its passage through the Scottish Parliament.
The private bill, introduced by Glasgow City Council, will allow items from the collection, gathered by the shipping magnate Sir William Burrell, to go on international tours.
It will lift the current restrictions on overseas lending which Sir William – at the time concerned over dangerous sea transportation – included in his original 1944 Deed of Gift.
It is being supported by the trustees of the Burrell Collection. The council is planning a multimillion-pound refit of the museum in Glasgow's south side, which will mean it closing between 2016 and 2020.
A major fund-raising excercise, led by the Burrell Renaissance group, will update the listed building, opened in 1983.
Sir William collected 8000 objects including French, medieval, Chinese, French and Islamic art.
A BBC documentary this week, presented by Kirsty Wark, detailed the history of the museum.
Councillor Archie Graham, the depute leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of Glasgow Life, which runs the city's museums and galleries, said: "The council, Glasgow Life and the Burrell trustees continue to work together to explore how best to address the concerns Sir William had about sending objects abroad whilst recognising that shipping and conserving such precious items has developed significantly in the 60 years since Sir William made his bequest."
In 1997 the council won a battle to change the Burrell bequest so its treasures could tour overseas.
But two vital factors, after a Parliamentary Commission ruling in the council's favour, were not resolved: the need for a parliamentary bill to change the bequest, and the full support of the trustees.
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