British Museum (Hansard, 27 October 1982)

§ Sir Keith Joseph:

The position is as described in the letter I have sent to the chairman of trustees, which is printed in full. It is dated 25 October 1982.

The East Infill Project

I was grateful to you and your fellow Trustees for coming to tell me about this project and its place in your plans. As you know, and as we discussed, the Advisory Board for the Research Councils had advised me that—following reassessment of their earlier support for the project against the present and prospective financial situation, the consequences for university research and the demands of new areas of research of high scientific priority—they could no longer recommend that capital funds on the scale envisaged should be committed to the purposes of this project.

I have considered carefully what you said to me, and the Board's advice (which will be published shortly in full). I have decided to accept that advice, although with great reluctance, because I know of your problems of overcrowding consequent on your very successful long term exhibition policy in which the East Infill project was so central. I do this solely on financial grounds and without in any way impugning the merits of the project. My decision necessarily implies, I fear, that I see no prospect 401W of funding for alternative major capital work for the Museum within the horizon of the public expenditure survey.

I know that Trustees and the staff who have worked on this project with such dedication for 10 years and more will be greatly disappointed by my decision as, less directly but no less importantly, will your extensive visiting public. I know too that you will now need urgently to consider the implications of the decision for your policy in all its aspects, from the present pressures on amenity to the Museums longer term plans. I, and Mr. Shelton (whom I have asked to keep closely in touch with your work) with the officers of the Department, will be ready to help in any ways we can in that assessment; and I hope that you and your officers will feel absolutely free to seek discussion with us at any time.