This study paper springs from an ever deepening concern at the slow pace of progress achieved in recent years in planning conservation services for museums and art galleries in the United Kingdom. This became more than ever apparent during the Triennial Meeting of the ICOM Conservation Committee held in Venice in October 1975, and it was the subject of my subsequent discussions with Sir Norman Reid, Mr. C.W. Wright and Sir Owen Wansborough-Jones early in 1976. The main purpose of the study paper is to reopen discussions, and even if the majority of my conclusions are rejected a useful purpose will, I hope, have been served. -- CAL