Rob, the question was retorical. The paintings I believe are all done by Official War Artists. The CWM knows about it as they were the ones who discovered that they had gone astray. The CWM has a form or they at least did have a form that was required to be signed by a responsible person for any artifacts that are out on loan. This form is required to be renewed every five years, at least that was the way it was done when I was more involved with our museum. There is no doubt that the staff is overworked and it is just impossible for them to keep up with all the details of where everything is. Hopefully with the new museum there will be more space to display more of the huge inventory of painting that the CWM has.
The paintings in question were on loan, the Museum thought it was a good idea to have them on display somewhere rather than in storage. Some are or have been on display in the Commons and the Senate chambers of the Parlaiment Buildings.
Believe me Rob I have never looked the other way in my life when something has been wrong and I have the scars to prove it. The CO in question returned the articles after the QMS made his comment and wouldn't back down.
With regard to the museum at Borden it may well be time to be concerned, Chris Wattie has a report in the National Post about the short fall of money in DND, here is an extract from that report;
"The army has been working to reduce the number of barracks, garrisons and armouries for which it is responsible, but has been unable to knock down old structures quickly enough. "While demolition of buildings in excess to requirements is proceeding apace, it is unlikely that the army will achieve an overall 10% realty reduction by 2005."