§ Mr. Dorrellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about proposals to merge the geological museum at South Kensington with the British museum (natural history).
§ Mr. BrookeIn view of its plans progressively to transfer the staff of the Institute of Geological Sciences from London to the IGS's new heaquarters at Keyworth, the Natural Environment Research Council has been considering the future of the geological museum, which is part of the IGS. The council has concluded that the future of the geological museum could best be secured by transferring it to the control of the trustees of the British museum (natural history). The trustees of the British museum (natural history) would welcome such a merging of the two institutions. My right hon. Friend welcomes the 365W proposal—which has the support of the ABRC and the Museums and Galleries Commission — subject to agreement being reached on the terms of the transfer including the financial provision to be made, the safeguards to be observed in relation to the preservation of the geological museum's collections and exhibits and, more generally, to its standing with the professional geological community, the protection of the legitimate interests of staff affected and the timing of the transfer. I understand that it is the intention of the parties to proceed with discussions and consultations immediately and I look forward to learning the outcome.