76. Mr. MartinTo ask the Minister for the Arts what provision will be made for the building and maintenance of national museums and galleries in 1988–89.
§ Mr. LuceAs I announced on 5 November, at columns848–50, I intend that not less than £6 million of the increase in provision for museums and galleries in 1988–89 will be devoted to strengthening the building and maintenance programme of the national museums and galleries. This represents a rise of over 20 per cent.
I shall be announcing shortly the detailed allocation for each institution.
§ 77. Mr. David ShawTo ask the Minister for the Arts which national museums and galleries have sold items from their collections over the past three years.
§ Mr. LuceThe majority of national museums and galleries have powers, on certain conditions, to dispose of items from their collections either by sale, exchange or gift. Whether and to what extent they do so is for the trustees and director of each institution to determine. Since 1985, the following national museums and galleries sponsored by my Department have sold items from their collections: British museum; Victoria and Albert museum; National Maritime museum; British museum (Natural History).