§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the balance remaining on 19 October in the fund administered by the Victoria and albert Museum for purchases by local museums; whether he will specify the grants made to date for this purpose during the present financial year; and whether he will list in each case the percentage represented by these grants of the total amounts paid for the individual items.
§ Mr. Channon:The balance is £890,588.
In the financial year 1981–82, the fund has so far dealt with 610 grant applications and has paid a total of £897,326 in respect of 360 applications including 81 started in 1980–81. Another 93 grants totalling over 75W £400,000 have been offered to date but have not yet been claimed. Of the remaining cases, some are still under consideration while others have lapsed because, for example, a purchase was not completed.
In almost all instances the grant from the fund is for 50 per cent. of the cost of purchase. Details of individual cases are not readily available.