§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial or other assistance they are prepared to give to the London Transport Board to enable them to rehouse their historic transport relics for public display after the closing down of the Clapham Transport Museum.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, the Greater London Council assumed responsibility for the London Transport Executive on January 1, and it will be for the Council to make the necessary financial provision. If it wishes for any advice, I am sure that the Science Museum will be ready to give it.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that Answer, may I ask whether the Government are aware that there is still considerable concern about the future of the exhibits which are at the moment at Clapham but which will have no home when the Museum is moved North? Further, can the Government say when national museums will cease to be the Cinderella so far as the Arts Societies are concerned, especially in view of the increased grants of the Arts Council?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord will not 1064 expect a direct answer now to the second part of his supplementary question, but I will see that he receives an answer. I would not entirely agree with him that museums are the Cinderella, although I appreciate that he would like to see more money given to them. Under the Transport Act London Transport have a direct responsibility for the exhibits. I understand that ultimately these relics will be displayed in a museum which is to be primarily this type of transport museum. This is an ultimate provision. But London Transport have a direct responsibility for these exhibits.