CLOSURE OF THE THEATRE MUSEUM

That this House pays tribute to the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden, which is London's only gallery devoted to the performing arts and which hosts one of the best theatre collections in the world, including Sir Laurence Olivier's costumes; notes that the Heritage Lottery Fund has rejected its £2.5 million bid for funding twice; further notes that the museum receives visitors from all over the world and conducts educational workshops, events and performances; is disappointed at the decision taken to shut the museum on 7th January 2007; and calls on the Victoria and Albert Museum to reverse its decision to close the museum in order that fresh revenue funding streams may be sought.