HC Deb 20 June 1968 vol 766 cc1300-1
36. Dr. John Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about congestion in the British Museum; and what action he is taking to ensure presentation of its unique exhibits in a manner consistent with contemporary museum standards.

47. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made in remedying the shortage of room for exhibits at the British Museum.

Miss Jennie Lee

Funds are now available for a number of important developments at the British Museum as part of the 12-year building programme for the National Museums and Galleries— projects include a microfilm unit at Colin-dale, a photographic studio, a public restaurant and the reconstruction of the bronze and vase rooms.

In addition the move of the Ethnography Department to Burlington Gardens is expected to take place early in 1970. The Museum has an exhibitions officer on its staff; it also employed a firm of design consultants for the reconstruction of the Western Sculpture Galleries, where an exhibition will be on view to the public from 5th July.

Dr. Dunwoody

I can assure my right hon. Friend that her Answer will be welcomed by all who believe that museums could do a great deal more in education as a whole. Will my right hon. Friend encourage the authorities in the British Museum and other museums to arrange exhibits to cater particularly for the needs of young people and schoolchildren?

Miss Lee

I can assure my hon. Friend that very high priority is now being given in our museums to special exhibitions which will encourage visits by children.

Mr. Whitaker

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether she will arrange for exhibits, for which there is no room for display, to be loaned temporarily to other museums in other parts of the country?

Miss Lee

I know about the problem of trying to move exhibits from one part of the country to another. I can only say that our museum authorities are in an extremely co-operative mood and that they want to assist one another as much as possible.