Written question asked by John Austin (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: Statement on what progress has been made on the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. - Inc fact that I have today published the first stage report of the joint review, copies in Library. (Dep 01/802).

Answer: Mr. Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. [161060] Mr. Alan Howarth: I have today published the first stage report of the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. The report examines the roles and functions of the galleries, and how these functions contribute to the delivery of wider DCMS and governmental objectives. It confirms that at the present the galleries' status as non-departmental public bodies is the best option for the delivering of their services and considers how the delivery of their services might be improved in the future. The publication of the report marks the end of the first stage of the review. The second stage will take forward the recommendations of the first stage and consider how the galleries' services and functions could be provided more efficiently and effectively in the future. A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Secondary information