Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Future of the National Trust — [Hannah Bardell in the Chair]

11 November 2020 · 5 other contributors · 4,323 words

Opened by Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

Responding minister: Nigel Huddleston

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrew Murrison raised concerns about future of the national trust — [hannah bardell in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about recent changes proposed by the National Trust, including potential closures of smaller houses and a shift in focus away from traditional roles.
  • The MP calls for an independent review to reassess the trust's direction and ensure alignment with its statutory mission.
  • The minister highlights the National Trust's independence from the Government and its operation under the governance of a board of trustees and oversight by the Charity Commission.

Key requests to Government

The MP calls for an independent review to reassess the trust's direction and ensure alignment with its statutory mission, suggesting it should be akin to the Glover deep-dive into national parks. He urges the trust leadership to take public feedback seriously and consider mechanisms to free up funds to support charitable purposes during challenging times.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

The MP is concerned about recent changes in direction proposed by the National Trust, including a leaked document called 'Towards a Ten-Year Vision for Place and Experience' that suggests dramatic shifts in how the trust operates. He mentions specific issues such as the closure of smaller houses under the guise of financial constraints due to COVID-19 and the controversial report on colonialism and historic slavery which he deems inappropriate. The MP also highlights the potential reduction in professional curator posts and the shift away from traditional roles, worrying about the loss of historical context and expertise.

Other contributors (5)
  • John Hayes Con South Holland and The Deepings

    Mr Hayes expressed concern over the National Trust's involvement in politics, particularly its defense of Black Lives Matter which he deemed inappropriate for a charitable organization. He highlighted issues with the trust's recent review into colonial links, questioning the expenditure of public funds during a time when staff are being laid off.

  • Kevin Brennan Lab Cardiff West

    Asked why the National Trust should not research the history of its buildings and whether it should be subject to a witch hunt by the Charity Commission.

  • Andrew Turner Con Isle of Wight

    The MP questioned whether the National Trust has engaged with English Heritage's report on colonialism and slavery, suggesting a comparison might help assess if the trust's approach is appropriate. He also expressed concern about the direction the trust is taking in terms of property closures.

  • Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale

    Expressed concern about jobs at risk in the Lake District due to the National Trust's activities and suggested that the trust should encourage succession on farms and maintain family farming.

  • Tom Hunt Ind Mayor of Plymouth City Council

    Asked about confusion regarding the political affiliations of Black Lives Matter, questioning statements made by the chair of the National Trust and a leading light in BLM.

Government Response

Nigel Huddleston

It is a genuine honour to serve under the maiden chairmanship of Ms Bardell. The National Trust, founded in 1895 with its first property acquired for £10, now has over 5.5 million members, welcomes nearly 27 million visitors annually, employs around 9,500 staff and is supported by 65,000 volunteers. With governance regulated by a board of trustees and overseen by the Charity Commission, the trust operates independently from the Government without ongoing public funding. The minister acknowledges concerns about the trust's direction but emphasises that it remains an independent body with its own mechanisms for accountability. He refers to recent reports of members' dissatisfaction over the focus on historical links to slavery and empire and reassures Members that a transcript of today's debate will be sent to the National Trust. Addressing financial challenges, the minister notes the trust is losing approximately £200 million in revenues due to coronavirus but highlights 80% of its funds are legally restricted. The trust has implemented 513 compulsory redundancies and 782 voluntary redundancies while seeking Government assistance through schemes like the furlough scheme. Emphasising the importance of preserving heritage, he supports the National Trust's focus on curating historic houses, gardens, and landscapes.

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