§ 20. Mr. Simonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what grant is made directly or indirectly from Treasury sources to the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Wallace Collection, the London Museum, the Bowes Museum, and to any other museum or art gallery in the north-east, respectively.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe first four museums are Government Departments and their current expenditure is provided for on Parliamentary Votes. The Bowes Museum is a private foundation and, as such, does not receive an Exchequer grant. It is only one of a number of local musums and art galleries which are facing financial difficulties. The financing of assistance to such museums is primarily for local authorities whose expenditure for such purposes may, in certain circumstances, qualify for a Government grant. Having regard to the20W large contributions from the Exchequer to the arts, I regret that I cannot hold out hopes of a direct grant to the Bowes Museum.