§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will recommend an immediate special grant of £40,000 for the trustees of the National Portrait Gallery to purchase the portrait of Laurence Sterne by Joshua Reynolds bearing in mind its national, artistic and historic importance.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsI have been asked to reply.
The National Portrait Gallery has launched a public appeal for funds towards the purchase of this portrait. When the outcome of the appeal is known I shall consider the situation as it then is.