National Heritage Act 1983

18 The Board’s general functions. E+W

(1) The Board shall perform their functions for the general purpose of maintaining and exhibiting a national collection of arms, armour and associated objects, and of maintaining a record relating to arms and armour and to the Tower of London.

(2) So far as practicable and subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall—

(a) care for, preserve and add to the objects in their collection of arms, armour and associated objects,

(b) secure that the objects are exhibited to the public,

(c) secure that the objects are available to persons seeking to inspect them in connection with study or research,

(d) maintain a record (which may include books, pictures and other articles) relating to their collection, to arms and armour generally and to the Tower, and

(e) generally promote the public’s enjoyment and understanding of arms and armour, both by means of the Board’s collection and by such other means as they consider appropriate.

(3) For the purpose of fulfilling their duties under subsection (2) the Board may, subject to the provisions of this Act—

(a) provide education, instruction and advice and carry out research,

(b) enter into contracts and other agreements (including agreements for the Board’s occupation or management of premises in the Tower or elsewhere), F1 . . .

(c) acquire and dispose of land and other property [F2 and

(d) with the consent of the Secretary of State and subject to such conditions as he may impose, make grants to any person for the purpose of promoting enjoyment, knowledge or understanding of arms and armour.]

(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may do such things as they think necessary or expedient—

(a) for preserving, and increasing the utility of, their collection,

(b) 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, and

(c) otherwise for the purposes of their functions.

(5) For so long as the Board have a right to occupy premises in the Tower, and so far as otherwise practicable, they shall secure that an exhibition of arms, armour and associated objects from among their collection is maintained and open to the public in those premises.

(6) The Board shall not acquire or dispose of land without the Secretary of State’s consent.

(7) The power mentioned in subsection (4) includes power to require payment for admission to objects in the Board’s collection and objects exhibited with them, but only while the objects are exhibited at a place other than the Tower, and includes power to require payment for goods or for services other than admission provided by the Board.

[F3 (8) The Board may, whether or not for the general purpose mentioned in subsection (1), allow premises occupied or managed by them to be used by other persons (for payment or otherwise) for purposes not connected with the functions mentioned in subsection (2), if the Board are satisfied that to do so would not unduly conflict with those functions.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 18(3) repealed (1.9.1992) by Museums and Galleries Act 1992 (c. 44), s. 11(3), Sch.9; S.I. 1992/1874, art. 2

F2 S. 18(3)(d) and word 'and' preceding it added (1.9.1992) by Museums and Galleries Act 1992 (c. 44), s. 11(2), Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 13(2); S.I. 1992/1874, art. 2

F3 S. 18(8) added (1.9.1992) by Museums and Galleries Act 1992 (c. 44), s. 11(2), Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 13(3); S.I. 1992/1874, art. 2