Service Museums

Thursday 9th February 2017 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mike Penning)]

My noble Friend the Minister of State in the House of Lords, Earl Howe, has made the following written statement:

Further to my written ministerial statement of 15 October 2015 (HLWS241), I am today announcing the publication of the findings of the review of the three service museums: The National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Army Museum and the RAF Museum. Periodic reviews of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring, and improving, the accountability and effectiveness of public bodies.

The review concluded that the service museums support the heritage objectives of the Ministry of Defence and the functions performed are still required. The review recommended that the service museums should be retained as NDPBs of the Ministry of Defence.

The review was carried out with the participation of a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and I am grateful to all those who contributed to this review.

The Review of the Service Museums report has been placed in the Library of the House. It will also be available on the Government website at: www.gov.uk.

[HCWS473]