HC Deb 13 March 1924 vol 170 cc2548-9
85. Mr. BLACK

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the attendance of the public at the Tate Gallery during 1923 was 50,000 fewer than in 1913, and that the annual cost of the gallery is about £15,000, he will, in view of the small receipts for admission and in order to popularise this national institution, make it free to the public every day of the week?

Mr. GRAHAM

The hon. Member has apparently overlooked the fact that, of a total decrease of 48,338, nearly 34,000 is attributable to reduced attendance on free days: but I am glad to be able to inform him that from 1st April next the admission fees at the Tate Gallery on the two paying days will be reduced from 1s. to 6d. so as to correspond with the fees at the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square. The question of abolishing the fees altogether in this case was not brought to my notice until the Estimates for 1924–5 had been closed, and I am afraid that it is not feasible to take any step in this direction at the moment, though I should like to give the matter further consideration during the year.

Mr. BLACK

Is the sixpence that is to be charged to be retained by the trustees for the purchase of new pictures, or is it going into the hands of the Treasury?

Mr. GRAHAM

I require notice of that question.

Mr. W. THORNE

Are all the Estimates for all the Departments now closed?

Mr. GRAHAM

I cannot vouch for all the Estimates, but the point was that this particular Estimate was closed, and the proposal I have made was the best that we could do.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

What were the total admissions for 1923?

Mr. GRAHAM

I could not say without notice.