§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts (1) why it is proposed that the Geffrye museum should be brought under the control of the Victoria and Albert museum; and what representations he has received from the Victoria and Albert museum about this proposal;
(2) how much the Geffrye museum costs to run; whether the Victoria and Albert museum budget will be increased accordingly if responsibility for the museum is transferred; and whether the proposed new arrangements will guarantee the future of the Geffrye museum in its present form.
§ Mr. WaldegraveFor the reasons set out in paragraphs 5 and 7 of the arts consultative paper, it was considered inappropriate to devolve responsibility for the Geffrye museum to the borough in which it is situated, following the abolition of the GLC. The trustees of the Victoria and Albert museum would prefer not to accept responsibility for this museum, while recognising its importance. My noble Friend is now reconsidering the arrangements for its future control and funding. From the information available to the Government, the estimated revenue cost of running both the Geffrye and Horniman museums in 1983–84 is £1,210,000; I regret I cannot give separate figures for each museum.