Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 29 Oct 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Official Report 193KB pdf

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Scotland's Museums

For item 4, members should have in front of them the briefing paper on the museums sector that was produced by the committee's reporters, Jackie Baillie and Michael Russell. Does Jackie Baillie want to speak to the paper, or is it merely for information prior to our meeting on 5 November?

The paper is essentially for information, but Michael Russell and I would welcome the committee's views on the conclusions that we reached and any suggestions for the way forward. We were careful not to arrive at firm conclusions but merely to point to options for the future for national and local museums. [Interruption.] I will wait while members of the press exit. Goodbye.

The paper acknowledges my earlier point to the minister that many collections of national importance are distributed outside the National Museums of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland. We need to consider carefully how a framework for the future can involve the National Museums of Scotland in disseminating curatorial expertise and the Scottish Museums Council in acting in a manner that is akin to that of the Scottish Arts Council.

We are keen to mirror what happened in England and Wales, where a short-life working group was set up that involved the key partners. That working group had in a relatively short time to come up with an agreed model that could be taken forward as a framework for the future. Essentially, our conclusions are contained in the paper, so if it has the committee's support, we can put those points to the minister.

This is a measured report, which is not tub thumping in any way but is, rather, a constructive contribution to an important debate. We should invite the minister to give the report positive consideration. I hope that he will move forward along the lines that are broadly suggested by the report.

The minister would be able to come before the committee next week, but we would need to meet at 1.45. I intimate that to members now, but we will also intimate it in the papers and e-mail the details to members who are not present today. Is the paper agreed to?

Members indicated agreement.

Meeting continued in private until 15:58.