§ 10. Mr. Moreasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what information is given to the public regarding the payment by bankers' order for season tickets for entry into historic buildings under the control of his department.
§ Mr. PrenticeNone, Sir. But I will gladly examine the suggestion and see if it is possible to introduce it.
§ Mr. MoreDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that there should be much more publicity about this? Would it not be a good thing to have this put on a businesslike basis so that people could make arrangements to pay by bankers' order?
§ Mr. PrenticeI think that the answer I shall give to a later Question by the hon. Gentleman will suggest that we are 28 selling more of these tickets and that the scheme is a success. But, of course, I am willing to examine any suggestion, including the one in this Question, which could lead to still more people taking advantage of this scheme.
§ 11. Mr. Moreasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many official season tickets for entry to historic buildings were sold in the last five calendar years.
§ Mr. PrenticeIn total, 117,860 season tickets were sold during the last five years. With permission, I will circulate the breakdown by calendar years in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MoreFollowing what I said on Question No. 10, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that sales would be greatly increased if the whole of this system were put on a more businesslike footing with a great deal more publicity? Would not this be a sensible way of increasing attendance?
§ Mr. PrenticeThe number of tickets sold has gone up by 70 per cent. since 1962 and there has been an increase in the number of people visiting monuments each year. Preliminary figures for this year show an even further increase. The scheme is undoubtedly successful but, of course, I am willing to consider any suggestions from any quarter. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to be more specific in correspondence with me.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonDespite the welcome increase in the numbers visiting historic buildings, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the yield from ticket prices in no way meets the increased expenditure necessary for these buildings and that it is essential within the next five years to double the present intake from this source?
§ Mr. PrenticeWe have announced that ticket prices will be raised on 1st January from the present 10s. to 15s. Of course, we want to encourage more people to visit the monuments and we shall do all we can to this end.
§ Detailed figues are:
| 1962 | … | … | … | 20,000 |
| 1963 | … | … | … | 15,500 |
| 1964 | … | … | … | 20,634 |
| 1965 | … | … | … | 27,655 |
| 1966 | … | … | … | 34,071 |