§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will recommend a special Treasury grant to enable the Victoria and Albert Museum to acquire Donatello's bronze relief of the Madonna and Child.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsI have been asked to reply.
The Government are not prepared to give a special grant towards the purchase of this relief in the present economic situation. The Museum proposes to make an appeal to the public for funds, and the Government will be prepared to consider, when the result of that appeal is known, whether an advance which would be recoverable from a future year's grant should be made.