National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985

JurisdictionUK Non-devolved
Citation1985 c. 16
Year1985
(1) There shall be a body known as the Board of Trustees of the National Museums of Scotland (in this Part of this Act referred to as “the Board”) .(2) Part I of Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the Board.(3) The “National Museums of Scotland” are the institutions presently known as the Royal Scottish Museum and the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, together with any establishment owned, controlled or occupied by either of them.care for, preserve and add to the objects in their collections,secure that the objects are exhibited to and interpreted for the public,secure that the objects are available to persons seeking to inspect them in connection with study or research,generally promote the public’s awareness, appreciation and understanding of matters agricultural, archaeological, architectural, artistic, cultural, environmental, historical, industrial, military, scientific and social both by means of the Board’s collections and by such other means, including collaboration with other institutions, as they consider appropriate, andprovide education, instruction and advice and carry out research.(2) In carrying out their functions the Board shall have due regard to the Scottish aspect of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) (d) above.(3) If the Secretary of State directs the Board to exercise functions which are exercisable by him (whether by virtue of an enactment or otherwise) , which in his opinion can be exercised appropriately by the Board having regard to their functions and resources, and which are specified in the direction, the Board shall exercise them on his behalf in such manner as he may from time to time direct; but nothing in this subsection authorises the Board to exercise a function of making regulations or other instruments of a legislative character.for preserving, and increasing the utility of, their collections,for securing the due administration of anything vested in or acquired by them, and any premises occupied or managed by them under or by virtue of this Act, andotherwise for the purpose of discharging their functions.enter into any contract or agreement, including a contract or agreement for the acquisition or disposal of land;manage, develop, or carry out works on land, and maintain or assist in the maintenance of any such works;undertake or execute any trust;act as agents for other persons;with the consent of the Secretary of State, make grants F1subject to such conditions as he may require to be imposed to any person;with the consent of the Secretary of State, invest and borrow money;provide or assist in the provision of publicity related to their functions.(3) The Board shall not enter into any contract or agreement for the acquisition or disposal of land (except a contract or agreement for a period not exceeding one year) without the consent of the Secretary of State.(4) The Board may allow premises owned or occupied by them, or any of their resources or services, to be used by other persons (for payment or otherwise) for purposes not connected with the Board’s functions if they are satisfied that to do so would not conflict unduly with those functions.(5) Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland shall be entitled to free access to the library of the National Museums at such times as the Board may reasonably determine.are presently in the collections of the Royal Scottish Museum or the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland; ormay become vested in the Board in the future.(2) Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to the Board’s power to form other museums, either as part of the Museum of Scotland or otherwise.(1) With the consent of the Secretary of State, and subject to any conditions he may impose, the Board may form or take part in forming one or more bodies corporate the main object or objects of which is related to the promotion of any of the general functions of the Board described in section 2.(2) The Board may hold interests in any such body, exercise rights conferred by the holding of interests in it, and provide financial or other assistance to or in respect of it (including assistance by way of guarantee of its obligations) .

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