HL Deb 27 July 1983 vol 443 cc1614-5WA
Lord Strabolgi

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to cut the annual grants to the British Library, the national museums and galleries, and the Arts Council, and, if so, by how much in terms of percentages and round figures.

The Minister of State, Privy Council Office, and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)

In the light of the Government's announcement on7th July, the 1983–84 cash limits on the relevant Votes will be adjusted in line with the following reductions in planned provision:—

1983–84 Reduction
Institution £million Percentage of 1983–84 Estimate%
British Museum 0.125 1.0
Science Museum 0.077 1.0
V and A Museum 0.104 1.0
Imperial War Museum 0.041 1.0
National Gallery 0.068 1.0
National Maritime Museum 0.041 1.0
National Portrait Gallery 0.018 1.0
Tate Gallery 0.054 1.0
Wallace Collection 0.008 1.0
Arts Council 0.920 1.0
South Bank Theatre Board 0.006 2.0
British Film Institute 0.072 1.0
Museums and Galleries Commission 0.050 2.0
British Library 1.022 2.2

These reductions apply mainly to recurrent expenditure. Their level has been calculated after taking full account of the estimated £0.9 million saving to Government funds in 1983–84 from postponing the start of the Theatre Museum building project, provision for which was borne separately on the Property Services Agency Vote (Class XIV, Vote 3). The overall cash limit reduction on that PSA Vote will also take account where appropriate of the scope for savings in capital and maintenance expenditure on the national museums and galleries and the British Library.

In addition:

  1. (a) a total of £0.017 million (equivalent to 2.1 per cent.) will be deducted from the gross provision to be made available in 1983–84 for Office of Arts and Libraries administration (for which a token Summer Supplementary Estimate is being sought following the transfer of functions), and from the provision for OAL research and surveys; and
  2. (b) the 1983–84 cash limit for the Victoria and Albert Museum will be reduced by £0.041 million, following excess expenditure of that sum against its 1982–83 cash limit.