Culture, Media and Sport CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Richard Ross

I would be grateful if the Committee could take the following points into consideration:

1.The five museums should be seen as a collective, each adding to our understanding of the history and current importance of science and technology.

2.They have developed from different roots and are still developing, witness the application of digital technologies by them. These developments should be encouraged, by increased, not reduced, funding.

3.The unbalanced nature of the British economy, skewed as it has been over the last 30 years to finance, means that these museums should be given more prominence. It is essential that Britain’s industrial base is expanded. Science and technology should be at the heart of Britain’s economic policy and the Science Museum Group is playing a part in maintaining the basis on which future economic success can be built. This part should be given more prominence and the Group should have a higher media profile in relation to Britain’s economic life.

4.Finally, the geographical spread of these museums should be seen as strength. Each museum is of regional as well as national importance and contributes to local economic growth.

June 2013