HC Deb 24 May 1982 vol 24 cc643-4
20. Mr. Waller

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received the Rayner report on the Victoria and Albert museum and the Science museum.

Mr. Channon

Yes, Sir. I have just received the report, am carefully studying it, and I hope to make an announcement later this week.

Mr. Waller

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that these two great London museums, which are among our great national assets, would in many ways be better administered as trusteeship bodies rather than be responsible direct to a Government Department?

Mr. Channon

That point of view is widely shared, but it is clearly a matter of great consequence for the future of the museums. That aspect is clearly covered by the report. I shall naturally want to study the report and take into account what my hon. Friend said before making an announcement later this week.

Mr. Faulds

What success has the right hon. Gentleman had in convincing the staffs of the Victoria and Albert and the Science Museums that there are positive advantages in becoming members of staff of trustee-run museums?

Mr. Channon

It would have been quite inappropriate for me to make any efforts to persuade them of that or any other course, since the Government have only this week received the report. No decisions have yet been made. It would be wrong of me to inform the House whether the report recommends in favour of that proposal or against it.

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