§ MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCK (Whitehaven)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the fact, as stated in the Times newspaper of the 8th instant, that the Trustees of the National Gallery have contracted to purchase four or more pictures from the Earl of Darnley; and to what authors these pictures are attributed; and whether this purchase is to be effected out of moneys already voted by Parliament, or whether a Supplementary Estimate will be presented for the purpose?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)It is true that the Board of the National Gallery have been negotiating the purchase from the Earl of Darnley of three pictures—namely, two by Paul Veronese and one by Tintoretto. The money will be provided out of the ordinary Parliamentary Vote for the National Gallery.