§ LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request the Trustees of the national museums and galleries to issue to donors of objects or cash, of or above a certain minimum value, benefactors' cards valid for free entrance to all of them during the benefactors' lifetimes, and whether they will endorse a minimum qualification of a value of £25 having regard to the fact that cards recording life membership of the National Art Collections Fund resulting from a payment calculated on a similar 25 years actuarial basis will entitle the holders to similar free entrance to all such institutions.
§ THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (VISCOUNT ECCLES)My Lords, I do not believe that we should be justified in complicating the system of charging by this exceptional arrangement. The proposal is not analogous to a subscription to the National Art Collections Fund which operates on behalf of all the museums.
§ LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for that reply. In order to clarify the matter, and so that the public know where they are, may I ask the Paymaster General whether the introduction of admission charges will be further postponed until all restrictions on prices are removed?
§ VISCOUNT ECCLESMy Lords, this matter is under consideration and I will make a statement on the date of the introduction as soon as I can.