§ Mr. AdleyTo ask the Minister for the Arts what is his policy towards encouraging the national museums to raise their own funds.
33W
§ Mr. LuceI continue to attach high importance to encouraging national museums and galleries to develop self-reliance and diversification of funding. I congratulate the institutions on their achievements to date, and on becoming more professional in their management in recent years. I was delighted to announce on 23 November that MEPC plc is donating £1 million over five years to Sir John Soane's museum towards the repair of the fabric of the building. I am pleased to have been able to match this generous offer.