§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Zoological Society of London about its financial position; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Zoological Society of London has recently informed me that it does not believe 49W it to be a realistic proposition that the society could return to financial self-sufficiency by 31 March 1986 as had been envisaged in the previous arrangement which I announced last December. It has therefore sought an assurance of Government support on a longer-term basis.
I have reviewed the position carefully with the society and Ministers have discussed with the treasurer and officers plans for improving the management, marketing and presentation of its collections while maintaining the internationally-recognised quality of its scientific work. The Government agree that there is a need for both short and long-term support. Discussions on the form this will take are continuing with the objective of agreeing in September a business plan drawing on the society's operational plan. This will include defined financial and performance criteria. More detailed announcements about the level and form of support will be made at that time.