§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will increase the Victoria and Albert Museum's purchase grant fund which has remained static since 1973–74.
§ Mr. MulleyNo. The basic grant in aid for the museum's own purchases was increased from £139,000 in 1973–74 and 1974–75 to £310,000 for each of the three years beginning 1975–76 to take account of estimated rises in cost over this period. These have also been supplemented by additional grants. It is open to the museum to apply under existing policies for such grants in the future, though I cannot anticipate whether under present circumstances they would be available. The museum also makes grants to local museums and galleries. Following the recommendation of the Committee on Provincial Museums and Galleries the fund was increased in 1973–74 from £150,000 to £400,000 a year and responsibility for technological material was transferred to the Science Museum. Such grants are normally fixed for a period of several years, and in present circumstances I do not expect to review this figure in the immediate future.