HC Deb 07 February 1974 vol 868 cc415-6W
Mr. MacArthur

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

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Subject to parliamentary approval, a special purchase grant of £14,000 will be made available towards the purchase by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery of an important group of seven historical Scottish portraits, formerly in Yester House, including "Charles, Second Earl of Dunfermline" by Van Dyck, "John, First Marquess of Tweeddale" by Lely, and "Alexander Henderson" by or after Van Dyck. In addition, a special advance of £2,550 has been approved against a corresponding redunction in the purchase grant-in-aid of the galleries for 1974–75. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented to Parliament. Meanwhile, the sum of £16,550 will be issued as an advance from the Contingencies Fund.