§ Lord Bancroftasked Her Majesty's Government:
What future role they envisage for the Museums and Galleries Commission in relation to national museums and galleries, with particular reference to the possibility of their using the commission to fund these national institutions at one remove, on the Arts Council model.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)The Government do not envisage any general changes in the present relationship between the national museums and galleries and the Museums and Galleries Commission. The commission's remit remains to advise generally on the development of museums and galleries and to promote co-operation between them and particularly between the national and provincial institutions. As from 1st April 1985 it has assumed certain responsibilities for the local museum purchase grant schemes, and for428WA administration of the acceptance in lieu and indemnity schemes. There are no plans to use the commission as an intermediate channel of funding the national institutions. The Government hope that the commission will, however, continue to develop fruitful working relationships with the national institutions.