HC Deb 04 February 1971 vol 810 cc1891-3
10. Mr. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress she has made in discussing with the representatives of museums and galleries the imposition of entrance fees.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The considered views of nearly all the institutions on the details of a scheme of charges have now been received and there have been preliminary discussions about the collection of charges.

Mr. Strauss

In view of the large number of exemptions which will be necessary to make this entrance tax tolerable, would not it be better to drop the whole silly and abnoxious proposal now?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman has recognised, with his usual generosity, that there would be a flexible scheme allowing exemptions in appropriate cases. No doubt he will be pleased with the scheme when he hears it.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

On that last point, is my hon. Friend giving special attention to the needs of students and of those parents who desire to take their children frequently to museums and galleries to familiarise them with the treasures contained in them?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I know that both those groups are very much in the mind of my noble Friend.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Is it not the case that the overwhelming majority of representatives of museums and galleries whose opinions have been made known are hostile to the idea of introducing charges?

Mr. van Straubenzee

What is interesting is that there has been a change of view in certain places, including one very well-known person who originally campaigned against the principle but now concedes that there is much in it.

Miss Lestor

My hon. Friend the Member for Smethwick (Mr. Faulds) would normally raise this matter, but unfortunately he is confined in hospital where, of course, there are no admission charges——

An Hon. Member

Not yet!

Miss Lestor

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House, first, what is likely to be the net cost of administering these charges; second, what is expected to be the net yield; and, third, what arrangement will be made for the exemption of school children, and will it have to be paid for by local authorities?

Mr. van Straubenzee

As Parliament would expect, all those matters will be made clear in the comprehensive announcement which is to be made by my noble Friend.

I am sure that the House regrets the absence of the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Faulds). However, I think that the hon. Lady is doing pretty well in comedy.

Miss Lestor

I do not think the hon. Gentleman has answered my question about the net cost.

Mr. van Straubenzee

I thought that I had made it clear that this will be part of the comprehensive statement to be made by my noble Friend.

11. Mr. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether a decision has now been reached about the need for legislation before fees can be charged for entrance to the British Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The Trustees of the British Museum and the British Museum (Natural History) have been advised that legislation may be necessary to put beyond doubt their power to charge for admission.

Mr. Strauss

I am glad to know that, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that there will be strong opposition to this legislation in view of the fact that none of the tax raised will accrue to the museums and galleries and in view of the arguments of those who want to see art made more and not less available to the public?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I do not know why there should be strong opposition. There are at least two respectable precedents established by legislation. I refer to the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum.

Mr. Hunt

When my hon. Friend introduces the legislation will he remind right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite that a substantial proportion of those who visit our museums and galleries are tourists from overseas and that British taxpayers see no reason why they should be asked to subsidise these people to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds a year?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I take note of that. At the same time, we in this country like to think that our national treasures are widely shared. But it must be accepted that, if we want increased provision, we need to have the kind of provision that I have been dealing with in answering this Question.