HC Deb 04 March 1971 vol 812 cc1884-5
16. Mr. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the entrance tax to the national museums and galleries will be imposed; and when she intends to introduce legislation to enable the trustees of the British Museum and Natural History Museum to make a charge.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The Government are not imposing a tax. They are asking the public who use them to pay a share of the cost of the services provided by the institutions. My noble Friend the Paymaster-General is not yet ready to make an announcement about the timing of any necessary legislation and of the introduction of charges.

Mr. Strauss

Does the hon. Gentleman recollect that in his speech on Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill he said that enabling legislation to enable trustees of museums and galleries to impose these entrance charges does not mean compulsory powers to force them to make charges."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th February, 1971; Vol. 811, c. 1434.] Does that mean that the Government will bring no pressure, financial or otherwise, on trustees to force them to impose these charges if they do not want to do so?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for reminding me of those very wise words. They exactly state the position. The legislation will not force; it will enable.

Miss Lestor

When I asked the hon. Gentleman about this matter on a previous occasion he said that there would be a statement on it. Will he now tell me what is the estimated administrative cost of imposing these charges and what the net yield will be?

Mr. van Straubenzee

Those matters will form part of the announcement which will be made by my noble Friend.

Mr. Dykes

Does my hon. Friend agree that, now that some of the more hysterical arguments put forward by the no-charges lobby have abated and have been succeeded by a period of more reflective calm, there is a great deal of public support for the idea of imposing moderate charges for museums and galleries to enable resources to be devoted to worth-while objects, if the arrangements can be worked out?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I think that the central argument has very largely got across. I am obliged to my hon. Friend for reminding me of that.

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