§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will establish a grant for museums to be set up in constituencies which are without them; and if he will make a statement on his Department's activities during Museums Week. [83568]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthHistorically, local museums relate to local authority areas which may cover several constituencies. Boundaries of constituencies change from time to time. What is important is that each community should have access to a local museum.
There are already some 2,500 museums in the UK, and it is the Government's priority to increase access to these museums, rather than to create new ones.
The Museums and Galleries Commission funds the network of Area Museum Councils in England which contributes to the funding of a number of museums and galleries. The Heritage Lottery Fund also provides funding for museums and galleries.
My Department has contributed £25,000 towards Museums Week 1999, which is a key annual event in raising public awareness of museums in the UK. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to all MPs and MEPs encouraging them to visit a museum in their constituency to promote the event.
Last year's event was a great success, and I hope that this year's will prove even more successful.
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