HL Deb 08 July 1997 vol 581 cc69-71WA
The Earl of Clancarty

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many public museums and galleries now charge for admission to their permanent displays; what that figure is as a proportion of all public museums and galleries; and what were the comparable figures in 1979.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Of the 1,677 museums and galleries that supplied information to the Museums & Galleries Commission's Digest of Museum Statistics in 1996, 744 charge for admission to the main part of their collections. This means that 44.4 per cent. of the UK museums and galleries which are registered with the MGC charge for admission. Comparable figures for 1979 are not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

The Earl of Clancarty

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 May (H.L. Deb., cols. 494–5), to what extent they expect their future policy on access to public museums and galleries to be determined by the results of the research they have commissioned from Glasgow Caledonian University; and whether they intend to take other factors into consideration in formulating that policy.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The original timetable for the delivery of the final results of the research being carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University was November 1997. The Museums & Galleries Commission have however agreed to provide the department with the results as they become available. The Government will take this evidence into account, along with all other material factors, in carrying out its review of admission charges at national museums and galleries.

The Earl of Clancarty

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 May (H.L. Deb., cols. 494–5), what were the terms of reference on which they commissioned Glasgow Caledonian University to carry out research into the economics of museum admission charges; when that research was commissioned; and whether any further details of the scope and methodology of that research have since been announced by the university.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The research on admission charges and their impact on museums and galleries by Glasgow Caledonian University was commissioned by the Museums & Galleries Commission in March 1997. The terms of reference are contained in a research brief by the MGC, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The methodology was determined by the MGC in its contract with the Glasgow Caledonian University and we understand that it will consist of a survey of historical and current background to admission charges in the UK and a survey of a representative sample of museums and galleries by means of telephone and postal questionnaires.

The Earl of Clancarty

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 May (H.L. Deb., cols. 494–5), what was discussed at the meeting between National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside and the Secretary of State for National Heritage; and what was the outcome of the meeting, in particular in relation to the general admission charge planned to take effect on 1 July 1997.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

On 24 June my right honourable friend the Secretary of State discussed with the Chairman and officials of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside the proposal by the trustees to extend admission charges to the Liverpool Museum, the Walker Art Gallery and other NMGM sites. My right honourable friend indicated that the department hopes to complete its review of admission charges at the national museums and galleries by the end of September. He invited NMGM to consider whether, in view of this, the trustees might defer the extension of admission charges. However, my right honourable friend acknowledged that, ultimately, the decision on whether to proceed with the new charging arrangements with effect from July is a matter for the trustees of NMGM to decide in the light of their fiduciary responsibilities.