§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will recommend that a special grant be made to the University of Cambridge to assist the Fitzwilliam Museum in its endeavours to acquire Van Dyck's Madonna and Child.
§ Mr. MulleyA substantial sum has been promised from the Exchequer Fund administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum for assistance with acquisitions by local collections. I will, if necessary, consider in the light of how much the museum is able to raise by public appeal or otherwise, whether any further Exchequer assistance can be provided.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will initiate discussions with industry with a view to raising funds to assist Cambridge University to acquire for the Fitzwilliam Museum Van Dyck's Madonna and Child;
(2) whether he will initiate discussions with the TUC with a view to raising funds to assist Cambridge University to acquire for the Fitzwilliam Museum Van Dyck's Madonna and Child.
§ Mr. MulleyThe museum is appealing for funds and it will, I am confident, make a good case, which it is best equipped to do, to possible benefactors for assistance in purchasing this painting. I am of course glad to acknowledge the increasing support being given by Industry and other bodies to the arts.