§ Mr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the arrangements applying to the merger and reorganisation of museums in Northern Ireland. [22737]
§ Mr. WorthingtonI refer my hon. Friend to the draft Museums and Galleries (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 which is currently before Parliament for consideration. The draft Order was considered by the House of Commons Standing Committee on 10 December 1997 and is due to be considered in another place in the near future. The Museums will shortly announce the appointment of a Director-Designate and, following the recent public advertisement, the Government are moving towards the appointment of the Trustees of the merged institution, in accordance with the public appointment procedures.