§ Mr. Rhodes Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the present arrangements for funding university museums, including the Fitzwilliam museum in Cambridge; and if he intends to review urgently the method of their funding.
§ Mr. WaldenMy right hon. Friend has received no recent representations on the funding of university museums. The responsibility for the funding of university museums rests with the university concerned, but is one of the factors the University Grants Committee takes into account in determining the distribution of recurrent grant. As announced on 11 April 1984, at columns 261-262, special arrangements have been made for an amount equivalent to the present Greater Manchester council's contribution to the Manchester museum and the Whitworth art gallery to be channelled through the UGC and the University of Manchester following the abolition of the Greater Manchester council.