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Science and Heritage (Science and Technology Committee Report)

We worked hard under the skilled chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp, on science and heritage, an unusual subject for the committee. During our inquiry, as always, we learnt a lot. I am disappointed that the Government, in their response, do not seem to have learnt some of the lessons that we have learnt, as many speakers have said today. Those who know about the subject have enthusiastically supported our recommendations. The Arts and Humanities Research Council, English Heritage, the British Library and Icon called it an ““outstanding”” report. The key to the problem, as we say in our introduction, is that the Government’s emphasis is placed on widening public access without placing equal emphasis on our duty to preserve our cultural heritage into future generations. Increased access, which we all welcome, inevitably increases wear and tear, for which funding allowance must be made. Non-departmental public bodies, charities and local museums do a good job in looking after their precious possessions. Being of historic importance, however, they are bound to be more fragile. This is not just a sentimental matter. Apart from the Olympic Games in 2012, tourists come to Britain to see our historic houses, museums and landscapes, bringing economic prosperity to our country. The Government must show leadership in this, and contribute their share of funding to this important responsibility. It particularly interested me to see how seriously the National Trust takes this matter with its report on dust. It is an example to the Government, although dependent on voluntary support. We naturally studied this matter from a scientific point of view, and that science needs more emphasis. We recommended a national strategic policy for heritage conservation, the appointment of a steering group under Arts and Humanities Research Council leadership and the urgent appointment of a chief scientific advisor qualified in hard science. I am glad that the Government have now agreed that English Heritage can provide the secretariat. The aim of this steering group is to bring together the bodies interested in heritage science so that they collaborate as much as possible on a bottom-up basis, based on actual local experience. It is a matter of local, ethnic pride for me that two local transport museums have won top marks in the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council accreditation scheme for the care of their collections. The steering group will need a strong chair and the advice of the chief scientific advisor—who will presumably be appointed by then—to attract money and get this strategy on the road, nationally. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport must put that strategy into action—and that right early!