Museums

Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds Excerpts

Wednesday 12th June 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

We do not wish for one moment for there to be any sense of divide. As the noble Lord has quite rightly said, this Government and the previous Government have invested a considerable sum of money through the Renaissance programme in regional museums. Since 2011-12, £180 million has been invested by DCMS in the regional museums. As he rightly alluded to, this programme has driven up visitor numbers in regional museums so that last year there were 19.1 million visitors to regional museums. I am very much aware of the—I think that there are seven—Liverpool museums. I have visited some and it would be lovely in the summer if I could visit many more.

[The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds]

My Lords, in view of the contribution of the National Media Museum in Bradford to West Yorkshire culture, can the Minister tell us how he and colleagues will take local views into account in making decisions? In particular, what can he do to avoid competition between the three museums allegedly under threat at the moment?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

As I say, there is this speculation. The three museums—the National Railway Museum in York, the National Media Museum in Bradford and MOSI in Manchester—all have a distinct character and history. I will be taking back to colleagues the strong opinions of the right reverend Prelate and others about the importance of the museums in their localities.