The Petition of Steve Hughes, Editor of “The Press” York and the people of York,
Declares that the Petitioners note with concern that the National Railway Museum, one of the most treasured attractions in York and the UK, and one of the world’s best transport museums, is threatened with closure.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure that the National Railway Museum remains open.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Hugh Bayley, Official Report, 24 June 2013; Vol. 565, c. 133.]
[P001185]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:
The Department acknowledges the importance of the National Railway Museum to the City of York and the valuable contribution it makes to education.
Following the favourable outcome of the Spending Round in July, it was announced that the reduction in resource and capital grants for the national museums and galleries sponsored by DCMS has been limited to 5% in 2015-16. In addition, a package of operational and financial freedoms is being granted to national museums and galleries which will help them act more strategically, increase revenues from their commercial operations and attract more philanthropic donations. In the light of this settlement, the Science Museum Group confirmed that all of its museums, including the National Railway Museum, will remain open.