§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the trustees of the National Gallery have recently purchased Pieter de Hooch's picture known as "The Music Party"; whether he is aware that this picture changed hands two or three years ago for £3,500; and whether it has been bought for a smaller sum on this occasion?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that the picture was bought in at a sale in Paris, in 1913, at a price reported to be £3,360. It has been bought for a smaller sum on this occasion.