§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has had about the circumstances of the redundancy payments to long-employed scholars in the service of the natural history museum in South Kensington.
§ Mr. LuceI have received no formal representations from trade unions about redundancy payments at the natural history museum. However, I understand that, at a recent meeting between the Office of Arts and Libraries and union representatives, officials of the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists outlined their concerns about the museum's proposals, including the nature of redundancy arrangements. My officials have subsequently briefed me on the outcome of this meeting and have discussed a number of the points with the museum's management.
All questions of staff management such as the circumstances of redundancy payments are the responsibility of the natural history museum's director and trustees.