HC Deb 11 May 1994 vol 243 cc171-2W
Mr. Wolfson

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on policy towards museums and galleries.

Mr. Brooke

I am about to undertake a review of my Department's policy towards museums and galleries. I am therefore today writing to a wide range of interested organisations seeking their views on the key components of policy in this area and posing some questions, listed here, for consideration. The questions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of topics for comment.

My review will complement that at present being carried out by the Museums and Galleries Commission. It will not cover policies directed specifically towards museums and galleries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although I shall of course consult my right hon. Friends about any developments that might affect their interests.

I am asking the organisations to which I am writing to send their comments to my Department by Friday 29 July. I should also welcome comments from anyone else who wishes to offer them. I have it in mind to indicate later in the year any emerging conclusions, once I have considered the responses. However, I shall want to consult further with interested parties on those issues which I decide should be taken forward.

Policy on Museums

SOME QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

Policy aims What should be the aims of DNH's policy towards museums?

In particular: Should policy be directed towards expansion of the sector or should the focus be on improving quality? How should some of the apparent tensions and contradictions characteristic of museums best be addressed (eg. tradition/ innovation; conservation/access)? How can access to museum collections and services be optimised? How can appropriate care of collections best be assured?

Framework Are the responsibilities of the various bodies relating to museums, eg. Government, the Museums and Galleries Commission, Area Museums Councils, local authorities, the right ones? Are the present arrangements for funding museums the most appropriate ones? Do present arrangements—such as the Private Finance Initiative which is intended to enable Government Departments, or Non Departmental Public Bodies, and the private sector to work more closely together, to meet needs which have traditionally been met only by the public sector—offer sufficient means of attracting private sector finance and facilitating the introduction of private sector expertise? If not, what else might be done? What will be the implications of the National Lottery? Which Government policies not specifically targeted at museums impinge most on them? What scope is there for improving links with other sectors, including sectors not covered by DNH?

Other questions What are likely to be the key developments in museums in the next 25 years (curatorial, social, technological, managerial, financial)? What are the criteria for success in the museums sector? How can performance against these criteria most effectively be assessed? What role should museums play in education? In what ways would museums and galleries benefit from improved international links?