BIG PIT, THE NATIONAL MINING MUSEUM OF WALES

Early day motion 428, tabled 28 June 2005 by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour). Signed by 70 members.

That this House congratulates the staff and everyone connected with the Big Pit National Mining Museum of Wales on winning the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year; welcomes this boost, both for Big Pit and Blaenavon; recognises that such a prestigious award is a rightful reward for the hard work put in by the staff at Big Pit many of whom are former coal miners; further recognises the importance of places like Big Pit in encouraging tourism in the South Wales Valleys and in commemorating local coal mining heritage; congratulates the Welsh Assembly Government on making museums like Big Pit free to visit; and calls on the Government and the devolved administration to continue to provide the best possible support for museums that tell the story of coal mining throughout the United Kingdom and provide renewed investment and employment in coalfield communities.

Signatures by party: Labour 62, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 2, DUP 1.