§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the location of the planned Museum of Scotland.
§ Mr. LangI am delighted to announce that the new Museum of Scotland will be located in Edinburgh, on the vacant site adjacent to the Royal Museum of Scotland in Chambers street, and to confirm the Government's agreement to fund the development.
The Museum of Scotland will provide a worthy setting for the outstanding Scottish collections of the National Museums of Scotland. The need for new accommodation in which to display the nation's heritage has been acknowledged for many years. The project was given fresh impetus in 1985 with the formation of the National Museums of Scotland. The board of trustees identified the provision of a new museum as their prime objective and last year submitted to the Secretary of State a detailed assessment of their requirements and a comprehensive investment appraisal of optional locations for the development. This clearly demonstrated that the need for the new museum was more pressing than ever, and that the Chambers street site was the most appropriate and cost-effective location.
On the basis of the investment appraisal, we have allocated resources for the new building within our recent public expenditure settlement, and I am pleased to confirm that these resources will now be made available to the National Museums' board of trustees.
The Government's decision to invest in this project reflects the importance that we attach to the care and display of our heritage, and to expanding the opportunities for the people of Scotland and for visitors to enjoy and learn from the wealth of material held by the museums.
I congratulate Lord Bute and his fellow trustees and the director Dr. Anderson and his staff on their success in securing a new home for Scotland's heritage.