PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FUNDING FOR THE SCIENCE MUSEUM (17 June 2013)

That this House notes that more than five million people visited Science Museum Group museums last year, including more than two million visiting its three flagship museums in the North of England, the National Railway Museum in York and Shildon, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and the National Media Museum in Bradford; recognises that the number of visitors to these museums has soared since entry charges were removed; welcomes the Government's commitment to retain free entry; expresses concern about the 25 per cent reduction in grant-in-aid received by the Science Museum Group over recent years and alarm at the fear expressed by Ian Blatchford, the Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group, that a poor funding settlement for the next three years would leave the Group with little choice but to close one of the museums; underlines that it is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to protect the UK's culture and heritage and make it accessible to the public; further welcomes the statement made by the Culture Minister, the hon. Member for Wantage, on Radio York on 18 June 2013 that none of the museums will close; and calls on the Government to give the Science Museum Group enough funding to keep collecting material and to research, conserve and exhibit the artefacts in its collection.

Sponsored by:
Sir Hugh Bayley (Labour)