Overview

This bill amends the British Museum Act 1963, allowing the transfer of artifacts from the British Museum to other institutions. The transfer can be initiated by the Museum's Trustees or mandated by the Secretary of State under specific circumstances, ensuring public access and appropriate display are prioritized.

Description

The bill modifies section 9 of the 1963 Act. It introduces two key changes:

• Trustee-initiated transfers: The Trustees of the British Museum gain the power to transfer artifacts to other institutions for public exhibition. This decision must consider factors such as public access, the needs of researchers, the artifact's condition and rarity, and potential risks.
• Secretary of State-mandated transfers: The Secretary of State can compel the Trustees to transfer artifacts if the Secretary believes the artifact would be more accessible, appropriately displayed due to historical links with the receiving institution's location, or if the circumstances surrounding the artifact's acquisition render its retention undesirable.

Before mandating a transfer, the Secretary of State must consult with the Trustees and consider the same factors as the Trustees would. Any transfer requires the recipient institution's consent and they bear the transfer costs.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly allocate or specify any government spending. Costs associated with transfers will be borne by the recipient institutions.

Groups Affected

• The British Museum: The bill directly impacts the Museum, potentially altering its collection and requiring consultation with the Secretary of State.
• Other Museums and Institutions: These institutions could gain artifacts, increasing their collections and potentially attracting more visitors. However, they will bear the costs of any transfer.
• Researchers and the Public: Access to artifacts could change depending on the transfer decisions, potentially increasing or restricting access based on the new location's accessibility and policies.
• The Secretary of State: The bill grants the Secretary of State significant power in deciding on artifact transfers.

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