§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Minister for the Arts whether he will take steps to acquire the site of the former Royal Dental hospital in Leicester square, to enable the National Portrait Gallery to extend the number of paintings on public display.
§ Mr. LuceI have informed the trustees of the National Portrait Gallery that no public funds are available for the acquisition of the site of the former Royal Dental hospital in Leicester square.
The National Portrait Gallery will gain some 29 per cent, net additional space (to be used for a variety of purposes) when it moves into the Crown-leased Orange Street properties, which are being rented and refurbished with the help of public funds.
I am in touch with the trustees of the gallery about further action they might take on the matter.