HL Deb 07 April 1954 vol 186 cc1055-6

2.37 p.m.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, having regard to the highly unsatisfactory state of affairs revealed by the Fourth Report 1949–53 of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, they will take immediate steps to restore fully the economy cuts imposed on these institutions at the beginning of their term of office, and whether they will ensure that future policy will grant increased funds to these institutions to enable them to clear up arrears and to keep pace with their growing responsibilities.]

THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (THE EARL OF SELKIRK)

My Lords, the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries in their Report drew attention to a number of respects in which work has fallen into arrears, due to the disturbance caused by the war, the rise in the cost of maintenance and new construction, and the continued need for economy in public expenditure. I am sure that the noble Lord would not wish to overestimate the effect of the relatively small staff cuts imposed in 1951 and which since then have been substantially restored. The Report of the Commission is under consideration by the Ministers concerned.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply, which gives rise, I think, to a further question. In view of the fact that the small cuts—small, that is, in expenditure—have had the effect of creating great dislocation, will Her Majesty's Government give an assurance that, should it be necessary in the future to make economy cuts, these will not be on a pro-rata basis and will not apply to institutions which are responsible for conserving the nation's cultural heritage?

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, I cannot agree with the noble Lord that the dislocation was the result of the cuts which have taken place. There were problems arising there already. The restoration of the staff has already been more than covered at the present time. With regard to the future, I cannot give an undertaking such as that for which the noble Lord asks, and anyone, for instance, who listened to the Budget statement yesterday realises that because of the close budgetary position we are in, no Government could give an undertaking of that character.

LORD STRABOLGI

I thank the noble Earl for his further reply. I used the word "dislocation" because it was mentioned specifically in the Report. If I may say so, the reply of the noble Earl is somewhat inconclusive, but I realise that this must necessarily be so, perhaps because of the narrow confines of a question of this kind. In view of that, I shall, with your Lordships' permission, put down a Motion for discussion at an early date after the Recess.