To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans are currently under consideration for the establishment of new museums, galleries and theatres; and where these will be located.

I know that the trustees of the national nuseums and galleries which I sponsor are considering a number of exciting new developments. For example, the Victoria and Albert museum is investigating the possibility of displaying part of its Indian collection at Bradford; the Imperial War museum has plans to establish an American air museum in a new building at Duxford airfield; and the Science museum is looking at a number of possible sites for a new national museum of food and farming. The Tate gallery is about to open the Tate gallery in Liverpool, and the National Portrait gallery is opening a new outstation at Bodelwyddan castle in association with Clwyd county council.I am aware of some proposals to establish new theatres, such as the plan to set up a theatre in Spitalfields to take productions from the Royal exchange, Manchester; and the moving of the Empire, York, to a new building. The trend for new development in these areas is most encouraging.