HC Deb 16 March 2000 vol 346 cc274-5W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of the Museums and Galleries Commission's Conservation Register. [114467]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) will be replaced by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) on 3 April 2000. Options for the future of functions currently carried out by the MGC were presented in a consultation document issued by MLAC in January this year.

In that document, MLAC suggests that the maintenance of the MGC Conservation Register should not be carried out by MLAC. The MGC is currently exploring the options for a future alternative home for the Conservation Register where its potential as a public information resource and as an endorsement of high quality conservation practice can be further realised.