§ MR. COCHRANE-BAILLIE (St. Pancras, N.)asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether, as a fulfilment of the understanding on which the pictures of the National Portrait Gallery were allowed to be removed from their old premises, he has made any provision in the Estimates for this year for the purchase of grounds on which suitable buildings may be erected to receive this valuable collection, in many instances unique, and got together both by the generosity of private donors and from contributions of the Nation during the last 30 years.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)I quite sympathize in the desire that a suitable and permanent abode may, as soon as possible, be provided for the very interesting and valuable Collection known as the National Portrait Gallery; but I regret that I cannot hope, during the present year, to obtain money for that purpose.