§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received a request for a special Treasury grant to enable the National Gallery of Scotland to acquire Verrochio's "Virgin and Child" from the Trustees of John Ruskin; if so, what is the sum involved; and whether a reply has been given.
§ Mr. William RossYes. The Trustees originally asked for a special purchase grant of £135,000 and were told that the Government regretted that in the present economic circumstances they could not make such a grant available. I am still considering the Trustees' request for a smaller grant.