§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the use of heritage furniture donated to the National Museum of Wales in the house of the director; if he has authorised its use; what guidelines exist concerning the use of heritage furniture in private residences of senior museum employees; and if he will make a statement. [7148]
§ Mr. HagueI have seen press reports on this matter. I understand that the national museum provides the director with furnished accommodation at the museum of Welsh life, for which he pays a commercially assessed rent. In addition to living there, the director uses the accommodation for office purposes, and for entertaining in association with his work.
Selection of individual items of furniture to be placed in the accommodation is a matter for the museum, in accordance with the terms of its agreement with the director. The Welsh dressers to which the press reports refer were purchased by the museum, rather than donated; I am advised that, if they had not been placed in the director's accommodation, they would have been held in store.
I am satisfied that these arrangements are entirely proper.