§ Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement concerning the building programme for the national museums and galleries.
§ Miss Jennie LeeOn 1st April, 1964, a 12-year programme came into force for the National Museums and Galleries in England and Scotland. This programme, to be administered by the Ministry of Public Building and Works, provided for the expenditure of £5.25 million over the period, including £0.25 million for con-104W tingencies. The figure of £5.25 million was a money ceiling at 1964 prices. By 1st April, 1968, £1.7 million had been spent.
The Government have recently reviewed this programme in the light of increases in costs and of an up-to-date assessment of needs, and taking into account the special contribution of £0.2 million towards housing the Henry Moore collection at the Tate Gallery of which I informed the House on 26th April, 1967. It has been decided that the programme for the remainder of the 12-year period, now estimated to cost £7.25 million at 1968 prices, will in future be adjusted annually to allow for increases in costs. The revised programme is intended to meet the essential needs of the national museums and galleries as known at the present time and to provide a sufficient margin for contingencies, but every effort will be made to phase expenditure so that it does not build up too quickly over the next two or three years.
Like all other programmes, the programme will be subject to review if necessary in the light of the Government's periodical appraisals of public expenditure.—[Vol. 745, c. 308–9.]