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 More >