§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, pursuant to his reply of 27 July, Official Report, column 856, if he will detail what discussions have taken place between the Department of Arts and Libraries and district councils concerning the maintenance of an integrated museum service in the event of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils; and how much central funding will be made available.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is a matter of regret to the Government that the district councils in the Tyne and Wear area have not yet sought discussions on the maintenance of an integrated service after abolition. My right hon. and noble Friend hopes that the successor authorities will react positively to the Government's initiative, to which I referred in my reply of 27 July; and that they will approach him in the near future. Provided satisfactory arrangements can be agreed, the appropriate level of central support would, of course, be part of these discussions.