Yvonne Aburrow has reminded me that if I want to blog about the financial crisis facing the Portable Antiquities Scheme then I’d better do it soon. I haven’t till now because many people have blogged about this I don’t want to simply say me too. There’s also the problem that I don’t want to be too ranty. It’s difficult because the PAS isn’t merely good, it’s so good it’s difficult to say how good it is.

What is the problem? These are the latest answers on the scheme in Parliament. the latest news I’ve found in Hansard, the record of Parliament.

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the reporting of treasure in England and Wales of the proposal by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council to maintain the funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme next year at its current level; and if he will make a statement. [175277]

Margaret Hodge: The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and so any decisions on its future funding will be taken by the MLA.

The PAS is of national importance and the MLA is committed to seeing it thrive and evolve. The MLA will continue to work with the British Museum and other stakeholders to build on the success the scheme has had in its goal of advancing archaeological knowledge—for finders, museums and, most importantly, the wider public.

The MLA believes the scheme fits with the wider Renaissance in the Regions agenda and intends to maintain current levels of support for 2008-09, while considering options for future funding in the context of wider priorities for museum collections and public participation.

See this at They Work for You

and

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport why funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme was not ring-fenced in the Comprehensive Spending Review; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and so any decisions on its funding are a matter for the MLA. The MLA has already committed to maintain current levels of support for the scheme for 2008-09. Since the 2004 spending review, the Department’s funding allocation to the MLA has not included ring-fencing for the PAS.

See this at They Work for You

Ver fundin ain’t nuffin to wiv vem squire.

If you visit They Work for You you can vote on whether you think they answered the question or not, but the insistence they it’s a matter for the regions sends a clear signal that they really don’t want to be bothered with it.

But if they’re getting the same level of support then surely it’s not a problem is it? Well yes it is, because same level of support is a budget freeze. What do MPs think about budget freezes? There’s a big argument over whether or not they should have their own rise above the rate of inflation. In light of this the answers appear to show contempt for the notion of support. It’s a shame because unlike the House of Commons the PAS has clearly been a success.
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