§ Mr. Straussasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is able to make a further statement about Government assistance toward the acquisition by the National Portrait Gallery of the portrait of Laurence Sterne by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkins:The Government have now agreed that Parliament shall be asked to approve a special purchase grant of£10,000 to the National Portrait Gallery to enable it to acquire this picture. The money will be advanced from the Contingencies Fund until such time as an Estimate can be laid before Parliament.