HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 cc311-2W
Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. [161060]

Mr. Alan Howarth

I have today published the first stage report of the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

The report examines the roles and functions of the galleries, and how these functions contribute to the delivery of wider DCMS and governmental objectives. It confirms that at the present the galleries' status as non-departmental public bodies is the best option for the delivering of their services and considers how the delivery of their services might be improved in the future.

The publication of the report marks the end of the first stage of the review. The second stage will take forward the recommendations of the first stage and consider how the galleries' services and functions could be provided more efficiently and effectively in the future.

A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.