HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 cc395-6W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the acquisition budgets in each of the last five years of the museums and galleries funded by his Department. [95145]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 25 October 1999]: Since 1992, the grant in aid allocation to each of the museums and galleries supported by DCMS has not included a separate acquisition budget. Decisions concerning the amount set aside for acquisitions are for the Trustees of each institution. Except for the Wallace Collection, which is a closed collection, details of the acquisition budgets of the other national museums and galleries for the last five years are given in their annual accounts which are available in the House of Commons Library. Regarding information for the other sponsored museums and galleries, I will write to the hon. Member and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.