§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what help he is giving the National Gallery for Scotland over the acquisition of the Mantegna picture.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. Friend increased the purchase grants of the National Galleries of Scotland by 13 per cent. this year. The trustees have allocated all the resources they would normally spend on old master paintings to the Mantegna and will be prepared to augment this sum from the limited trust funds at their disposal. An application for help has been made to the national heritage memorial fund, the other main source of Government help. The trustees hope that the balance needed to save this signal masterpiece for the nation will be provided by other benefactors.