HC Deb 24 July 1973 vol 860 c416W
Mr. Galbraith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether additional funds are being made available to assist a special purchase by the National Galleries of Scotland.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Subject to parliamentary approval, a special purchase grant of £45,500 will be made available towards the purchase of the painting "Field with Poppies, St. Denis" by Georges Seurat. In addition, a special advance of £10,000 has been approved against a corresponding reduction in the purchase grant-in-aid for 1974–75 of the galleries. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented to Parliament. Meanwhile the sum of £55,500 will be issued as an advance from the Contingencies Fund.

Mr. Galbraith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether additional funds are being made available to assist a special purchase by the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Subject to parliamentary approval, a special purchase grant of £80,000 will be made available towards the purchase of a seventeenth century Scottish sporting gun, constituting an important acquisition. In addition a special advance of £12,000 has been approved against a corresponding reduction in the purchase grant-in-aid for 1974–75 of the museum. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented to Parliament. Meanwhile the sum of £92,000 will be issued as an advance from the Contingencies Fund.