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Birmingham City Art Gallery (Picture Purchase)

Volume 940: debated on Friday 2 December 1977

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asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will give details of the Government contribution towards the purchase by the Birmingham City Art Gallery of the Bellini painting of the Madonna and Child.

On 23rd September my noble Friend the Minister specially responsible for the arts offered the gallery, subject to the authority of Parliament, £60,000 to match other offers and an additional £12,000 to encourage local authorities and other donors to help to close the gap. The many generous contributions from other sources included a contribution of £50 000, matched in the special grant, from Mr. Denis Mahon, who has stated that he wished it to be a tribute to the memory of the late Lord Crawford. The Government are happy to be associated with this. I understand that the gallery has now completed the purchase and is taking up the offer. A supplementary estimate for the £72,000, to be made available by a special addition to the grant in aid to the Victoria and Albert Museum for assistance with local purchases, will shortly be laid before Parliament.