§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department has spent on the acquisition of works of art in each year since 411W 1997, broken down by amounts spent on (a) paintings and (b) sculpture; what the single most expensive piece of art purchased by his Department since 1997 has been; how much it cost; and what the total revenue raised by his Department through sales of works of art has been since 1997.[142355]
§ Mr. PearsonThe annual amount spent on the acquisition of Works of Art by the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments in each financial year since 1997 is detailed in the table. The single most expensive piece of art purchased in that period has been a painting entitled 'Red Chard' at a cost of £7,650. No revenue has been raised through sales of works of art since 1997.
Paintings (including prints)
Sculptures (including textiles)
Total 1997–98 21,200 1,800 23,000 1998–99 35,500 3,800 39,300 1999–2000 53,000 6,000 59,000 2000–01 30,000 — 30,000 2001—02 30,050 2,950 33,000 2002–03 23,500 2,500 26,000