Natural History Museum (Hansard, 17 December 1990)

§ 35. Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if, pursuant to the answer of the right hon. and learned Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor) of 26 November at column 619, he will make a statement on ministerial meetings with Sir Walter Bodmer in relation to staffing problems posed by the IPMS in connection with the natural history museum.

§ Mr. Renton
My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor) met the chairman of trustees and director of the natural history museum on 1 November 1990 to discuss a wide range of issues concerning the museum. I share the view that the recent agreement between the natural history museum and the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists should be welcomed. It serves the best long-term interests of the museum and all concerned.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Will the Minister visit the museum officially and meet IPMS representatives?

§ Mr. Renton
I thank the hon. Gentleman for suggesting that I should add that to my list of travels and I shall think carefully about it. On Friday I had the opportunity of meeting the director of the natural history museum.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Members of IPMS.

§ Mr. Renton
I beg the hon. Gentleman's pardon. I thought that he said the chairman of the museum. I had discussions with the director and he is satisfied with the agreement that has been reached so far, as the hon. Gentleman knows. I know that the hon. Gentleman has taken a close interest in this matter. Only one redundancy is likely to occur. The proper course is for the management to sort out the details of the agreement with IPMS. It is no 17 part of my work to interfere in this dispute. Clearly, if I found reason to believe that the agreement was not working, I would consider visiting the museum.