§ 3.19 p.m.
§ LORD REIGATEMy 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 why they are not abolishing the charges for admission to Ham House and Osterley Park, which accrue to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
§ LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, there have been admission charges at Ham House and Osterley Park House ever since they were opened to the public 1037 under the administration of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1949 and 1953 respectively. The continuation of this policy by successive Governments, including the present one, is based on the recognition that different considerations apply to charging for country houses, such as Ham and Osterley, from those which apply to our great national museums and galleries.
§ LORD REIGATEMy Lords, while recognising the fact that Ham and Osterley are just definable as"in the country ", will the noble Lord say what would be the undesirable consequences which would flow from the abolition of these charges which were referred to by the Under-Secretary of State on May 14? Furthermore, as the cost of the maintenance of the properties is borne by the Victoria and Albert Museum, will the charges accrue to thefunds of the Victoria and Albert Museum, as was done under the enlightened policy of the last Government?
§ LORD STRABOLGIYes, my Lords. The receipts from charges go to the Victoria and Albert Museum, who bear the main running costs. Ham House and Osterley Park House are leased to the Government by the National Trust. It would be invidious to remove charges at these houses when the National Trust itself depends on a policy of charging for admission to similar houses in its care.
§ LORD REIGATEMy Lords, is not that rather hair-splitting as regards the difference in Ham, Osterley and Apsley House?
§ LORD STRABOLGINo, not at all, my Lords. Different considerations apply to the Wellington Museum at Apsley House. It will be remembered that this magnificent gift to the nation by the seventh Duke is a national museum in the centre of London. There is every reason why it should follow the free entry policy for institutions in that category. It is quite different from the other two.
§ LORD REIGATEMy Lords, will the noble Lord also bear in mind that Hampton Court Palace, for which the entry charge is 30p, was once considered a country house?
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, just to clear our minds, will the noble Lord tell us what happens at Kellwood, which appears to be on the borders rather than in the town or country?
§ LORD STRABOLGIYes, my Lords, it is of course rus in urbe; but there again it is in the possession of the G.L.C.
§ LORD HAILSHAM OF SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, would the noble Lord accept my congratulations in keeping a perfectly straight face when giving those answers?
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind that if he were to abolish the charges for these two country houses, he would be accused of"blacklegging"by the many noble Lords, inside and outside this House, who make charges to visitors at their own country houses?