14 February 2023

Protecting national collections at National Museum Wales

Dear Peter

Thank you for your response to the Committee’s letter requesting information to inform scrutiny of the Welsh Government's Draft Budget for 2023-24. The Committee considered your response at its meeting on 2 February 2023.

The Committee noted that there was no specific reference in your letter on whether the additional funding provided specifically would ensure that the Museum is able to further protect national treasures within the its collections. In their response to a similar request, the National Library of Wales told us that:

As regards that particular risk I am glad to report that the quick action by the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport to support and provide a grant of £500k has alleviated the failings of the fire and smoke dampers in our building, but the continued reduction in capital funding will only create further and serious risks to the national collections. Therefore, it is vital that Welsh Government provides the additional urgently needed capital funding requested by the National Library as expeditiously as possible.  

As such, the Committee would be grateful if you could provide assurance that there is no risk to the national collections held by National Museum Wales as result of your budget settlements from the Welsh Government.

I look forward to receiving your response in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Delyth Jewell MS

Committee Chair

 

Croesewir gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.