Imperial War Museum

Lord Faulkner of Worcester Excerpts

Monday 19th January 2015 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Faulkner of Worcester]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received about the future of the Imperial War Museum’s library and Explain History service.

[Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Lab)]

I beg leave to declare an interest as chair of the All-Party Group on War Heritage.

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con)]

My Lords, the Government have received a number of representations about the future of the Imperial War Museum’s library. The museum is considering changes to its library service provision and the future of the Explore History centre as part of its forward review. The department is in discussions with the museum about the review. The museum’s programme of digitisation of core collections is well in hand.

[Lord Faulkner of Worcester]

My Lords, I know that the Minister appreciates what a very special place the Imperial War Museum is and how anxious people are that it should not lose its worldwide reputation as the authority on conflict. That is why around 19,000 people have signed a petition asking that the proposed £4 million cuts be reconsidered. Can he give an assurance that scholars will continue to have access to the material in the library in the Imperial War Museum? Is there any hope that the walk-in centre can be retained for public access as well?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, the Imperial War Museum and the new galleries are an exceptional place. I would very much encourage noble Lords to go to the galleries: they are extraordinary. This is part of the modernisation approach; I spoke to the director-general of the museum about the library and the Explore History service. There is going to be much more digitisation. The core collection is all going to be put in digitised form so that many more people, without having to come into the museum, can look at it. I can assure noble Lords that scholarship is very important. The service will remain open for scholars to come and undertake research, but this is very much about a modernisation.