HL Deb 01 February 1967 vol 279 cc957-8

2.33 p.m.

LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money was made available by the Exchequer to the Trustees of the National Gallery so as to enable the Trustees to complete the purchase for the nation of the Rubens painting "The Judgment of Paris".]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, the answer is, None. The picture was bought from the annual purchase grant to the National Gallery, supplemented by some trust funds and some private donations.

LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICK

My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Baroness for that reply, confirming that no special disbursement was made by the Exchequer in this instance. I should like to put one supplementary question to the noble Lady. Cart she confirm or deny a suggestion which I have recently heard that there is some doubt as to just how authentic this picture is?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for giving me prior notice of this supplementary question so that I have been able to endeavour to obtain the reply. It may, or may not, please him, but I have done my best. The responsibility for buying paintings rests with the Trustees of the National Gallery, and it was suggested that perhaps the noble Lord might like to pursue this point with that distinguished body.