§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will respond to the report by a working party of the Museums and Galleries Commission on museums in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI have written today to the chairman of the Museums and Galleries Commission to thank Professor Miles and his working party for a thorough and interesting piece of work. The Government have responded positively by increasing grant to the Scottish Museums Council by over 13 per cent. to £500,000. The Secretary of State and I look to Scotland's national museums and galleries to give continuing priority to their national responsibilities. We hope that the report will encourage museums and galleries throughout Scotland to improve their management, widen their appeal and raise more income.
Copies of my letter to the chairman of the Museums and Galleries Commission and the Scottish Museums Council containing the Government's responses to the working party's 96 individual recommendations are being placed in the Library.