§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet reached a decision on the request of the Scottish National Gallery for a special purchase grant for Verrocchio's painting of the Madonna and Child in view of a reduction in the price being asked for it by the vendors.
§ Mr. William RossIn the present economic circumstances the Government were unable to make a special purchase grant towards the cost of this picture. It has, however, been acquired with the 739W assistance of advances from the National Gallery of Scotland's normal purchase grant in aid for 1976–77 and 1977–78.