HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 cc73-4W
105. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister for the Arts what additional funds have been made available to English national museums and galleries, since March, in response to the report of the National Audit Office on the management of the collections of the English national museums and galleries.

Mr. Luce

Last 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. The allocations were intended to help the national institutions in tackling their priority concerns in the management of their collections, including conservation, storage, documentation and building maintenance. An additional £13 million is allocated in 1991–92 for these purposes.

The Government are considering the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the management of collections of the English national museums and galleries, and will respond as soon as possible.

111. Mr. Haynes

To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he plans to increase the level of staffing in English national museums and galleries.

116. Mr. Wareing

To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he plans to increase the staffing levels in English national museums and galleries.

117. Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to increase the level of staffing in national museums.

Mr. Luce

On 3 November I announced increased funding for the National Museums and Galleries as part of the rolling forward of the arts settlement into a new third year, 1991–92. An additional £13 million has been allocated in 1991–92 to help institutions deal with their priority areas of concern. The allocation of these extra resources by institutions is, however, a matter for individual boards of trustees.

114. Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Minister for the Arts how many posts are currently vacant in English national museums and galleries.

Mr. Luce

The information is not available in the precise form requested. It is for the director and trustees of individual institutions to consider how the planned number of staff in post should compare with an institution's theoretical staffing complement.

115. Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Minister for the Arts what action he has taken since March 1988 in response to the National Audit Office report "on the management of the collections of the English national museums and galleries".

Mr. Luce

On 3 November I announced increased funding for the national museums and galleries for the new three-year settlement period. An additional £13 million has been allocated in 1991–92 to help institutions deal with their priority areas of concern, including conservation, storage and building maintenance.

The Government are considering the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the management of the collections of the English national museums and galleries and will make their response as soon as possible.

118. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Minister for the Arts when he expects to respond to the first report of the Public Accounts Committee on the management of the collections of the English national museums and galleries HC 28; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce

The Government are considering the report's recommendations and will respond as soon as possible.