"As you may be aware the Library has loaned the Gospels to the North-East twice in the last ten years, in 1996 and 2000, both times to the Laing Gallery in Newcastle. However, following a peer-reviewed study of the condition of the Gospels conducted in 2004, which found that the Gospels were more fragile than previously thought, the British Library Board took a decision not to consider any further temporary loans of the Gospels until 2014. The British Library is an arm's length body and as such I have no locus to intervene in this matter."