HC Deb 09 February 1989 vol 146 c750W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to prevent the break-up and sale of the Donaldson collection of musical instruments at the Royal College of Music; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

I understand from the Royal College of Music that it has no intention of selling, either wholly or in part, its collection of musical instruments. The director made this clear publicly in a letter to the editor ofThe Daily Telegraph published on 30 January. The college is, however, exploring alternative sources of funding for the collection. No decisions have been reached yet.