To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to safeguard the future on a country-wide basis of the Leicestershire museums, arts and records service; and in what circumstances he will use his powers under section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992. [30669]

The decision on how best to provide services for arts, museums and records must be for the authorities concerned. On the use of section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones) on 5 July, Official Report, columns 219–20.