asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about Government assistance to the Tate Gallery towards the recent purchase of the portrait of Ashley Cowper with his wife and daughter by Hogarth.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has agreed that Parliament should be invited to approve a special grant of £6,450 towards the purchase of this picture. A Supplementary Estimate will be laid before Parliament in due course. Meanwhile, the money will be advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund.