2 Introduction
2. On 6 May 2004 the Government laid the draft Order
before Parliament, together with an explanatory statement from
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (the Department).[1]
We have already reported on the proposal for the Order, which
would amend the Museum of London Act 1965 to expand the geographical
boundary within which the Museum of London may operate a museum.[2]
That boundary is currently set at the City of London; the proposed
Order would expand this to encompass the whole of Greater London.
The reason for proposing this is to make it legally possible
for the Museum of London to merge with the Museum in Docklands,
which is situated outside the current geographical limit of the
Museum of London's operation at West India Quay.
3. The Museum in Docklands has been developed as
an independent foundation on the basis of materials collected
by the Museum of London on the history of the Port of London and
the Docklands area. Changes in the financial and operational
climate for museums consequent on the opening of the national
museums to the public without charge have meant that the financial
viability of the Museum in Docklands as an independent institution
has been called into doubt. Specific concerns have been raised
by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which had made substantial contributions
to the costs of establishing the new museum and which continues
to make significant donations to support its operations. Since
the Heritage Lottery Fund made the merging of the Museum in Docklands
with the Museum of London a condition of its future support, the
Department has concluded that the Museum in Docklands might not
be able to continue to operate unless the proposed merger were
effected. The governing bodies of both the Museums formally approved
plans to seek a merger at meetings in March 2003.
4. The House has instructed us to examine the draft
Order against such of the criteria specified in Standing Order
No. 141(6) as are relevant. We are also required to consider
the extent to which the responsible Minister has had regard to
any resolution or report of the Committee or to any other representations
made during the period for Parliamentary consideration.[3]
Our discussion of matters arising from our examination is set
out below.
1 Copies of the proposal are available to Members of
Parliament from the Vote Office and to members of the public from
the Department. The proposal is also available on the Cabinet
Office web site: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/rra/rro/proposals.asp Back
2
Fourth Report of the Regulatory Reform Committee, Session 2003-04,
Proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Museum of London (Location
of Premises) Order 2004, HC (2003-04) 414 Back
3
Standing Order No. 141(7) Back
| 
