§ 14. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to make further sums available for assisting the improvement of provincial art galleries and museums.
§ Mr. SimonProvincial galleries and museums are primarily the responsibility of the local authorities, which have full statutory powers to support them. But as an earnest of the Government's good will towards local collections, the grants to assist their purchases, which are administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Scottish Museum, were raised this year from £2,000 to £15,000 and from £210 to £1,000, respectively; and they were extended to allow assistance towards purchases of oil paintings.
§ Mr. FletcherWould the Minister bear in mind the recommendations of the Committee over which Lord Bridges recently presided, pointing out the necessity of giving much further assistance to provincial galleries and museums? In view of the fact that the Financial Secretary said during the debate on the Finance Bill that he preferred direct grants to tax remissions, will he consider what further assistance could be given to these provincial galleries and museums?
§ Mr. SimonI have seen the very useful and thought-provoking report by Lord Bridges' Committee to the Gulbenkian Trustees. For myself, I think that it is a mistake to believe that it is for the benefit of the arts to have everything done by the central Government. On the contrary, I think that there are great advantages in local initiative and enthusiasm, and it is that, equally, which we should try to foster.