§ Mr. Channonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the recent acquisition by the National Portrait Gallery of two miniature portraits by Samuel Cooper and Nicholas Hilliard.
§ Sir E. BoyleThese two miniatures are of John Maitland 1st Duke of Lauderdale, my Samuel Cooper, and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, by Nicholas Hilliard. Although both subjects were already represented in the National Portrait Gallery, the Trustees decided that miniatures as fine as these of two persons of such great historical importance should, if possible, be acquired for the nation.
142WThe Gallery was able to buy the two miniatures for £5,775. My right hon. and learned Friend has agreed, subject to the approval of Parliament, to make an Exchequer grant of £1,925. Generous offers of £1,000, £750 and £100 have been received from the National Art Collections Fund, the Pilgrims Trust, and an anonymous donor respectively. The balance is to be raised by the Trustees from their own resources. A Supplementary Estimate will be laid before Parliament in due course.