HC Deb 12 July 1949 vol 467 cc207-8
55. Mr. Piratin

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the entrance charges to the Tate Gallery for adults and children.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

There are no entrance charges to the Tate Gallery to view the permanent collections. The charge to visitors to the temporary Exhibition of the Art Treasures from Vienna, now on view in certain rooms of the Gallery, is 1s. 6d. for adults and 9d. for children.

Mr. Piratin

Is not the Financial Secretary aware that this is rather an exorbitant charge, especially for working-class people, and will he look into it to see whether the charge can be reduced in order to attract more people?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The difficulty is that special exhibitions coming here from abroad involve considerable expense. The British Council is running this exhibition and, in view of that fact, I do not think the amount they charge is unreasonable.