§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of whether the trustees of the science museum are able to meet their obligation under the National Heritage Act 1983 and to discharge the museum's mission statement including care and research of the national collection; if the proposed reduction in staff will leave in post an adequate number of curators, conservation staff and librarians; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SproatUnder the National Heritage Act 1983, the trustees of the science museum may generally promote the public's enjoyment and understanding of science and technology and of the development of those subjects, both by means of the board's collections and by such other means as they consider appropriate.
In considering future policy for the national museum of science and industry the trustees are naturally aware of their fiduciary responsibilities to the collections and the care and research that attaches to them. They are concerned to ensure that the buildings that house the museums and the public displays presented in them meet the museum's stated mission. The current plans are being implemented in the light of those concerns in order that the museum can improve what it delivers to its various publics and play its proper role in promoting the public understanding of the history and—in particular—the contemporary practice of science, technology, industry and medicine.