Question follow-through · 108796

10 Downing Street: Artworks

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the portrait of William Shakespeare was removed from the Pillared Room in 10 Downing Street.

answeredCabinet Office

About this written question

A written question asks a government minister for information in writing. Parliament publishes the question and any answer.

Answering body: Cabinet Office
Tabled: 27 Jan 2026
Target answer date: 2 Feb 2026
Answer: 2 Feb 2026 · 6 calendar days after tabling

Elapsed calendar days describe the record timeline, not whether Parliament considers an answer on time.

Recorded timeline

27 Jan 2026
Question tabled
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the portrait of William Shakespeare was removed from the Pillared Room in 10 Downing Street.
2 Feb 2026
Target answer date
Date supplied by the official written-questions record.
2 Feb 2026
Answer published
The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time. The portrait was pre-planned to be moved by the Governm...

Open official record

Official data retrieved 28 Sept 2026.

Later records

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