HC Deb 11 January 1988 vol 125 c35W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list each of the functions of the Museums and Galleries Commission; and what proportion each accounts for in the dual budget from his Department.

Mr. Luce

The objects and powers of the Museums and Galleries Commission are set out in its royal charter. The commission's principal functions are:

  1. 1. Advising Government and others on museum matters, including security, acceptances in lieu of tax, and the operation of the Government indemnity scheme.
  2. 2. The administration of grants to the English Area Museum Councils, the Museums Documentation Association and non-national museums.
  3. 3. The promotion and co-ordination of museum-related conservation services and of travelling exhibitions.

It is for the commission to decide the distribution of its resources, including the grant-in-aid, between its various functions, subject to any guidelines or specific requirements which I may indicate as to the application of the grant-in-aid. The commission publishes a statement of expenditure in its annual report. A table analysing provision for the previous and current years is also included in the annual Supply Estimates.