Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) when the timetable will be 19W published for the Government's review of area museum councils, as set out in section 7.4 of "Treasures in Trust"; [10507]
(2) when she will make available the terms of reference referred to in section 7.4 of "Treasures in Trust", regarding the review of area museum councils. [10508]
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI am pleased to announce that Mr. Tony Pender has been appointed to lead the review of area museum councils in England. He will act as chairman of the working party on the review, whose members were announced on 18 December 1996,Official Report, columns 592–93.
Mr. Pender has been asked to let my Department have the conclusions of his review by 7 April. Its broad terms of reference are to conduct a comprehensive review of the area museum councils, having regard to changes in circumstances since their creation, the contents of "Treasures in Trust" and possible future developments. The review will involve wide consultation but the details of the conduct and timetable of the review will be for the working party to decide.