But the public funds these galleries and their purchases — and, quite reasonably, would like some answers.

They may be on the way.

A recent independent tribunal — concerning a Freedom of Information Act inquiry about a sculpture purchased by the National Maritime Museum — ruled that the commercial interest of the museum was not well enough argued. So it had to reveal what it had paid for the piece. Following this decision, Britain’s big museums and galleries are to discuss a change of tack. Good. The government, too, ought to disclose what it pays for its art collection, which must be worth a small fortune. Lucky ministers and embassies have the pick.

• I’m a bit puzzled by Louise MacBain, the glamorous North American millionairess who swept into Britain a couple of years ago, bought a luxury home and looked as if she was going to mop up the art market. She purchased some art mags and announced the setting up of a £12m international cultural centre in west London, which would put on exhibitions and dish out awards. Rather oddly, it has just hired a chap to raise money, when I thought its key function was to hand the stuff out.

And what of MacBain herself? She is apparently considering selling her Art & Auction magazine, and doesn’t seem to be much in London these days. She has bought a snazzy pad in New York, where she is said to socialise with Bill Clinton.

• The Edinburgh Festival has at last got a new director, the Aussie Jonathan Mills. Yet at least two other strong contenders, Graham Sheffield, artistic director of the Barbican, and the music specialist Pierre Audi, were initially favoured until they withdrew over concerns about the festival’s finances.

Intriguingly, Mills himself claims he had “several other job offers” before plumping for Edinburgh. But he won’t name them. This leaves Sheffield likely to continue at the Barbican, where he will probably become managing director on the retirement of John Tusa. However, the Corporation of London, the Barbican’s main funder, is putting the squeeze on it.

• The BBC made a huge error in plugging Davina McCall, the Big Brother presenter, as its “new Parkinson”. She is a fish out of water on her new BBC1 peak-time Wednesday chat show. Audiences are dire — less than 3m. Graham Norton’s BBC1 chat show, late on Monday evenings, also doesn’t work. Put them out of their misery.