To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council on the funding levels of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement. (188279)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council on the likely effect of funding the Portable Antiquities Scheme at the current level in 2008-09 on the number of posts; and if he will make a statement. (188625)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the chief executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) to discuss these matters. In my capacity as Minister responsible for Culture I have met the MLA’s chief executive regularly. During the course of these meetings we have discussed funding issues for the MLA as a whole. The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is funded by the MLA, so the impact of funding levels on the Scheme is a matter for it. The MLA is committed to the continued success of the PAS and is working together with other stakeholders to ensure that it is achieved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Director of the British Museum on the effect of funding the Portable Antiquities Scheme at the current level in 2008-09 on the number of posts; and if he will make a statement. (188626)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the Director of the British Museum to discuss this matter. In my capacity as Minister responsible for Culture, I have met the Museum's Director regularly. During the course of these meetings we have discussed the future of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). The British Museum is committed to the continued success of the PAS and is working with other stakeholders to ensure that it is achieved.