§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if grant in aid per visitor is a factor he is taking into account in his current review of Tyne and Wear museums funding; and if he will make a statement.[16516]
§ Mr. FisherThe main focus of the Department's current review of the funding arrangements of the Tyne and Wear Museums Service is on whether the annual grant from the Museums and Galleries Commission should continue in the light of the Department's wider spending review. The review will take into account relevant factors including value-for-money considerations such as cost per visitor from all funding sources, and TWMS's record of achievement in the delivery of public services.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what factors have been taken into account in his review of Government direct funding of the Tyne and Wear Museums Service; and if he will make a statement.[16625]
§ Mr. FisherThe Department is reviewing the current funding arrangements for the Tyne and Wear Museums Service as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. That Review, embracing all aspects of the Government's public expenditure programmes, includes a consideration of the Department's funding of the museums sector overall. The grant to TWMS cannot be exempt from that consideration.
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