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Natural History Museum

Volume 175: debated on Monday 2 July 1990

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66.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from civil service trades unions on the effects of the level of funding for the natural history museum.

I have received no formal representations from civil service trade unions about the level of funding at the natural history museum.However, I understand that at a recent meeting between the Office of Arts and Libraries and Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists (IPMS) representatives, the IPMS outlined its concerns about the museum's proposals, including the level of funding. My officials have subsequently briefed me on the outcome of the meeting.Future funding for the natural history museum will be considered in conjunction with funding bids received from other national museums and galleries.

67.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from academics about the effects of the level of funding for the natural history museum.

I have received many representations from members of the academic community about the level of funding for the natural history museum.I will be considering future funding for the natural history museum in conjunction with funding bids received from other national museums and galleries.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from the institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists about the effects of the level of funding for the natural history museum.

I have received no formal representations from trade unions about the level of funding at the natural history museum.However, I understand that at a recent meeting between the Office of Arts and Libraries and Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists (IPMS) representatives, the IPMS outlined its concerns about the museum's proposals, including the level of funding. My officials have subsequently briefed me on the discussion. I shall be meeting the chairman and director of the museum to discuss their plans in the near future.Future funding for the natural history museum will be considered in conjunction with funding bids received from other national museums and galleries.

To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on his actions following the Adjournment debate on Wednesday 20 June to help funding problems at the natural history museum.

The natural history museum has submitted to me its corporate plan for the years 1990 to 1995. My officials will discuss the plan with the museum next month in the context of the corporate plan discussions held with all the national museums and galleries I sponsor. I will consider fully the points raised in the Adjournment debate on Wednesday 20 June before making the financial allocations to the national museums and galleries to be announced this autumn. I shall be meeting the chairman and director of the natural history museum to discuss their strategy and the wider issues.