LONDON.- Yesterday, many of the leaders of Britain’s most prominent cultural institutions – speaking on behalf of organisations across the whole country – appealed directly to the Prime Minister not to cause irreparable damage to our most economically successful sector in the imminent Spending Review. They argue that while the cultural sector is willing to play its part in the country’s economic recovery with realistic cuts, the 25% – 40% cuts being proposed would be catastrophic as they come on top of 3.5% cuts this year as well as the cultural sector’s £322 million contribution to the costs of the Olympics. The directors warn that the cumulative effect of these cuts could lead to the closure or partial closure of leading national museums, galleries and theatres, as well as of many arts organisations across the country. This would reverse the gains that have been made since 1992 in the international standing of the UK’s cultural organisations, leading to the loss