Art Works

Norman Baker
To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the Works of Art Committee acquisition budget is for 2007-08.

Nick Harvey
The total income of the acquisition budget for 2007-08 is £188,124.68. This is made up of the vote for the financial year of £72,500, plus a carry-over from the previous financial year of £115,624.68. The carry-over arose from underspend in 2003-04 and 2004-05, when few works of art became available which fitted the Committee's acquisition aims. A large proportion of it has already been committed to projects begun in the last financial year, including purchases made at the auction of the collection of the late Lord Stratford and portrait commissions.