§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister for the Arts what action he is taking to protect Britain's art treasures from deterioration because of poor storage conditions and the backlog of conservation work; what assistance he will be giving to museums so that an up-to-date stock record of treasures is made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceLast November I announced the grant-in-aid allocations to the national museums and galleries which I sponsor, to the year 1991–92, rolling forward the three-year funding settlement introduced in 1987. I have made increases specifically to help the national institutions in tackling their priority concerns in the management of their collections, including their conservation, storage, and documentation, and building maintenance.