HC Deb 03 December 1987 vol 123 cc654-5W
Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which museums had employed Touche Ross and Co. as management consultants before February 1986; and what were the total fees paid by the National Museum of Wales to Touche Ross and Co. from grant in aid, in respect of its inquiry into its department of art conducted in 1986.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The decision to employ Touche Ross and Co. was made by the National Museum of Wales authorities acting under the terms of their Royal charter. The fee paid was £43,398.70.

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, with regard to the staffing recommendations of his Department's staff inspectors for the department of art of the National Museum of Wales in 1983–84, how many conservators were in post at the time of the inspection, how many conservators were specified in the complement recommended and whether a new post at Curatorial Grade F (Registrar) was recommended.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

There were two full-time and one part-time conservators in post at the time of the staff inspection. An increase to four conservator posts was recommended. A new post at curatorial grade F was also reommended.

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when officers of the National Museum of Wales asked Dr. Roderick Bowen, QC to undertake the inquiry into allegations of professional misconduct in the department of art; when members of staff of the National Musuem were requested to submit their statements of complaint; and what disciplinary action was taken subsequently with respect to the writer of the unauthorised letter to the president of the National Museum, dated 16 September 1982, alleging professional misconduct;

(2) what were the allegations of professional misconduct in the department of art of the National Museum of Wales as a result of which a senior member of its council conducted an inquiry in 1982; and when the keeper of the department of art was provided with them in writing.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 6 November 1987 at column891.

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Minister of the Arts what statements he has made, following his approval of the virement of funds from those voted by Parliament for the purchase of specimens by the National Musuem of Wales in 1984–85, about his policy towards permitting such virement in future and as to what steps he will take to ensure that this policy is adhered to.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The Department's policy, which is that virement between expenditure heads should be limited to meeting exceptional needs for which specific provision has not been made, is understood and accepted by the museum authorities. As for the steps taken by the Department to ensure compliance with the policy, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Treasury minute on the fifteenth report of the Committee of Public Accounts 1986–87 (Cm. 236).