Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Roberta Blackman-Woods (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 6 November 2006 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Sharing Collections

Question: I thank the Minister for that reply. Will he join me in pressing the British Library to move the Lindisfarne gospels on a permanent or temporary basis to the north-east, so that local people, including schoolchildren and visitors, can better appreciate their significance to the cultural heritage of the region?

Answer: There is no doubt that the Lindisfarne gospels are one of our greatest national treasures, and are certainly a great source of pride in the north-east of this country. The My hon. Friend will know that it is important that Ministers at the Dispatch Box always maintain the independence of the British Library and the decisions that its board feels that it needs to make about the gospels. However, I am pleased that I will meet her this week to discuss these matters in greater detail.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 451 c558
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Cultural heritage Museums and galleries North East British Library Access Schools County Durham
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk