National Galleries and Museums (Hansard, 21 October 1952)

§ 11. Dr. Stross
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a further statement on the closing of some sections of the national galleries and museums; and whether the Organisation and Methods Division has yet been able to suggest any alteration in staffing which will allow for normal opening.

§ Mr. R. A. Butler
After considering reports by the Organisation and Methods Division, I have authorised increases of two in the staff at the Tate Gallery and of three in the Wallace Collection and normal opening will be resumed as soon as the staff have been recruited. Reports on the National Maritime Museum and the British Museum are under consideration. Interim reports, which are under consideration, have been submitted on the Public Record Office, and the inquiry is continuing. At the Natural History Museum, it is not practicable at present to use the Mammal Gallery for exhibition purposes on account of projected reconstruction work. At Ham House, full opening is prevented by repairs.

§ Dr. Stross
Does the answer of the Chancellor mean that he, at any rate, realises that the original cut of £30,000 was hardly merited? Will he, on behalf of the whole nation, bear in mind in 840 future that small sums of money taken out of national expenditure may do grievous harm?

§ Mr. Butler
I should like to say this in return, that the original so-called cuts in the museums were done as part of the general reduction of the Civil Service. There was no intention to aim at the museums as such. I was not altogether happy at the spirit in which the cut was accepted, but I undertook to review it at the instance of the Financial Secretary, and I think the result has been that, within reason and with the aid of the Organisation and Methods Division, we have achieved a satisfactory settlement.

§ 12. Dr. Stross
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial grant was given to the national galleries and museums of Great Britain in 1938 and in 1951; and in what numbers the public made use of the facilities available in those years.

§ Mr. R. A. Butler
In 1938–39 and 1951–52 the sums amounted to £676,000 and £1,400,000, respectively. Figures for services furnished for the museums out of the Votes of other Government Departments cannot be ascertained with sufficient precision to provide a strict comparison, but they are of the order of £500,000 in 1938–39 and £1 million in 1951–52. There were over 7 million visitors in 1938 and nearly 6 million in 1951.

§ 13. Dr. Stross
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the increase in expenditure that would be required so as to allow the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery to remain open each day till 9 p.m.

§ Mr. R. A. Butler
Assuming this would be practicable at all, a rough estimate of the cost is £75,000 a year, perhaps more.

§ Dr. Stross
Has the Chancellor noted that we close these great national institutions at just about the time when workers leave their factories and workshops, which gives them very little opportunity of looking at our national treasures? Would he consider, as a trial experiment, if only for one or two years, opening these places until nine o'clock?

§ Mr. Butler
I must remind the House and the hon. Member that this must 841 depend on the decision of the trustees concerned. It will involve a certain amount of extra difficulty over overtime and so forth, but it is a matter for the trustees. Perhaps the Question and the answer will result in having the matter aired.