§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will specify (a) the museums, galleries and libraries in the United Kingdom the authorities of which are empowered to effect transfers of objects vested in them to each of the national museums, galleries and libraries in Scotland (b) the museums, galleries and libraries in the United Kingdom to which transfers are permissible of objects vested in the authorities of these four national institutions in Scotland.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI understand that the trustees of the Tate gallery, the British museum and the museum of London are empowered, in the legislation establishing these institutions, to transfer objects to institutions specified in the first schedule to the National Gallery and Tate Gallery Act 1954; that schedule includes the National galleries of Scotland—NGS—the National library of Scotland—NLS—the National museum of antiquities of Scotland—NMAS—and the Royal Scottish museum—RSM. The statutes governing the NLS and the NMAS permit transfers, subject to certain conditions, to any other institution. The legislation governing the NGS does not contain any specific provision for transfers. In the case of the RSM, which is a departmental museum, transfers may be made with my right hon. Friend's approval to any other institution.