12. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage museums to share their collections and take them into schools in West Lancashire. (131518)

As a result of our investment in the Renaissance in the regions programme, we have seen a 50 per cent. increase in engagement between school-aged children and museums since 2003. This has come about through more school visits and a seven-fold increase in participation in learning outreach activities.