§ 26. Mr. Channonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many museums have had to close recently for one or more days per week: and what were the reasons for these closings.
§ Miss Jennie LeeNone of the national museums or galleries has had to do this So far as I am aware, no regional museum has closed for one or more days a week during the current financial year.
§ Mr. ChannonWould not the right hon. Lady agree that in Birmingham, for example, this has had to be done? Is is not a sad state of affairs that some of the national museums have had to be partly closed for economic reasons on certain days in the week while some have had to be completely closed on one or mere days a week as a result of these measures? When we wish to encourage people to go to museums, is not this rather sad?
§ Miss LeeI hope that the hon. Gentleman will read my reply in which I have specifically said that none of the national museums and no regional museums in the current financial year have to close in such a way. I understand that the branch museums of the Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery were closed on Mondays during the last financial year, but that was the responsibility of the Birmingham Council and not of the Government.