The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee held an inquiry on 2 July to discuss the future of the Science Museum Group (SMG), following the SMG’s announcement that it might have to close one of its sites if its budget was cut by 10% in the spending review.
A spokeswoman for the government said the inquiry focused on the SMG’s funding diffi culties, the importance of each museum on a local and national basis, the potential for commercial exploitation to make up the shortfall, and other possible funding sources.
It was hoped that the museums’ local authorities would give evidence. Petitions to save the National Media Museum in Bradford, the Museum Of Science and Industry in Manchester and York’s National Railway Museum have been signed by more than 33,000, 19,0000 and 4,500 people respectively.
Museums Association director Mark Taylor said: “The SMG is in a similar position to many other museums around the country.
“Whatever the government says, it is not possible to maintain frontline services when funding is so massively reduced. Something has to give. Another set of substantial cuts could bring closures all over the country.”
A spokeswoman for the government said the inquiry focused on the SMG’s funding diffi culties, the importance of each museum on a local and national basis, the potential for commercial exploitation to make up the shortfall, and other possible funding sources.
It was hoped that the museums’ local authorities would give evidence. Petitions to save the National Media Museum in Bradford, the Museum Of Science and Industry in Manchester and York’s National Railway Museum have been signed by more than 33,000, 19,0000 and 4,500 people respectively.
Museums Association director Mark Taylor said: “The SMG is in a similar position to many other museums around the country.
“Whatever the government says, it is not possible to maintain frontline services when funding is so massively reduced. Something has to give. Another set of substantial cuts could bring closures all over the country.”
