A LEGAL bid to change the rules governing Glasgow's world-famous Burrell Collection so the priceless exhibits can tour abroad has been backed by a special Scottish Parliament committee.
Sir William Burrell, who gifted his collection to the city in 1944, stipulated the art should not be allowed to travel overseas. A shipping magnate, he feared for the safety of his treasures in transit.
The museum in Pollok Park in Glasgow's south side which holds the collection is to have a £45m makeover, which will close it for four years.
Glasgow City Council wants to take the treasures of the collection to up to seven major international venues while the building is shut.
Now the city's private bill to alter the terms of Sir William's gift to the city has been examined by the Burrell Collection (Lending and Borrowing) Bill Committee, which has published a report supporting the city's bid to lift the restrictions on overseas lending.
In a report published today, the committee says: "The time has come to allow the collection to be seen by a wider audience," and recommended that the general principles of the Bill be agreed to.
Now the Bill will be considered by the full parliament. If they are approved, it is expected the changes needed to send the collection overseas will be made by early next year.
The convener of the committee, Joan McAlpine MSP, said: "Our committee is persuaded that it is sometimes appropriate to depart from the wishes of benefactors, particularly if the circumstances which may have led them to adopt a certain position have changed.
"The committee supports the aim of raising the collection's profile and increasing access to its treasures, believing that Burrell wished the collection to be shown.
"The focus of the committee's decision in this matter is not whether Burrell would have wished to share the collection through loans (we know that he did) but whether it is safe, nowadays, to do so outside Great Britain. As such, we are agreed that the general principles of the bill be agreed to."
However, the committee is "not fully convinced" by Glasgow's claim that a tour of the Burrell Collection will generate a £15 million contribution to the refurbishment of the building.
Sir William, who lived from 1861-1958, collected almost 9,000 items reflecting his passion for art and history and donated the collection to his home city of Glasgow.
The council and the trustees of the Burrell Collection believe the tour of the art works while the A-listed museum, is closed will raise the city's profile and generate income.
The report notes that the museum is in "urgent need of refurbishment and does not, in its current condition, provide a safe environment for the collection."
It adds: "The committee heard about, and saw for themselves on a fact-finding visit, the regrettable condition of the building in which the collection is housed at Pollok Park … several exhibits have been removed from display in order to protect them from water damage."
Sir Angus Grossart, chairman of Burrell Renaissance, the body overseeing the building's refurbishment, said:"This endorsement, eagerly sought, unlocks huge potential and will liberate the Burrell. At last, it will allow us to do justice, in our time, to what Sir William achieved in his lifetime."
Councillor Archie Graham, depute leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We're delighted that the committee has backed our plans and this marks another huge step towards sharing Sir William's outstanding vision with an international audience while we refurbish the building which has been its home for the last
30 years."
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