HC Deb 19 May 1936 vol 312 cc1002-3
50. Mr. LEWIS

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the advisability of keeping the National Gallery open until 8 p.m. every week-day and, in order to defray the extra cost so incurred, of making a small charge for admittance on three days in the week during the normal hours of opening only?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

The National Gallery could not be kept open until 8 p.m. every week-day without an increase of the Exhibition Rooms staff which would amount to at least 50 per cent. even if a shift system—in regard to which there are difficulties—were to be introduced. An admission charge during the normal hours of opening on three days a week, instead of two days as at present, would not be likely to increase the receipts by more than about £550 a year, and, as was stated in the answer given to my hon. Friend on 27th April, I think it would be undesirable to reduce the number of free days.