§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what new proposals he is putting forward regarding the conservation of works of art in public collections.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsI attach great importance to the need to ensure a continuing supply of people trained in the necessary skills to conserve works of art. It is a prime responsibility of those responsible for major collections to ensure that training to meet their needs is being carried out. I have asked a number of the national museums and galleries whether they can make available additional training posts in conservation and my request has met with a helpful response. So far as local collections are concerned, I have trebled the Government's grant to the Area Museum Councils in the current year compared with 1973–74 to a total of £370,500; and I have expressed to the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries my hope that part of this increase will be devoted to the establishment of training posts and additional specialist posts in conservation.