§ 28. Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has yet made an official visit to the new Sainsbury wing at the national gallery.
§ Mr. RentonI had the great pleasure of attending the opening of the new wing by Her Majesty the Queen on 9 July; prior to that I had an informal preview on 27 June.
§ Mr. CarringtonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the Sainsbury wing is a triumph in the way that it displays the pre-renaissance collection? Is not the Sainsbury family greatly to be congratulated on its most generous patronage? Does that not show the way forward for private patronage of national collections to work together to the great benefit of the nation?
§ Mr. RentonI fully agree with my hon. Friend. It is a remarkable act of generosity by the three brothers and it follows many similar acts of generosity by members of the Sainsbury family. The early renaissance pictures are extraordinarily well shown off in the new wing and many hon. Members might benefit from going there for a period of quiet contemplation.