§ 3.3 p.m.
§ The Earl of Clancarty asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they are prepared to intervene to ensure that the British Museum will not at any time in the future operate general admission charges.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, no.
§ The Earl of ClancartyMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that short Answer. Does she agree that any reduction in accessibility for whatever category of visitor does not just lead to but positively represents a worsening of the cultural health of our society, the very possibility of which the Government should do their utmost to disallow?
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, the Government have long held the view that the decision about whether to charge for admission is for individual boards of trustees. The Government neither impose nor prohibit the introduction of admission charges.
§ Lord Callaghan of CardiffMy Lords, I declare an interest as a member of the Trustees Appeal Council of the British Museum. Is the Minister aware 671 that there is almost total opposition to any proposal to charge for entry to this great national heritage, to which there has been free admission for at least 200 years? It should not be regarded as a business but as part of our civilisation. Is she further aware that the alternative to not making charges will be to cut exhibitions? There is a suggestion that the number of staff will have to be reduced by 20 per cent. That is quite intolerable and the situation results from the Government's decision to cut the grant year after year after year.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, the Edwards Report suggests that to a considerable extent the museum has the power to solve its own financial problems. The report reveals that there is great scope for the museum to improve its efficiency. People may enter the British Museum without paying a fee, but each and every taxpayer pays for it at £6 an entry.
§ The Earl of PerthMy Lords, in view of the Minister's original Answer, will the Government ask the trustees to consider a compromise; namely, that there should be charges for six months from April to September when the tourist season is at its height? People from other European countries, for example, will readily understand that because almost all those countries charge for their museum entrances. During the remaining six months there would be no entry charge and the British, or anyone else living here, could enjoy the great pleasures of the museum for free.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, to return to the issue of money, the Government are providing more than £33 million to the British Museum in 1996-97. That is a substantial commitment. The matter is for the galleries themselves. I am not aware that, for instance, the National Gallery has any intention of introducing charges. However, it is up to the gallery to decide.
§ Lord StrabolgiMy Lords
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, is the Minister aware
Viscount CranborneMy Lords, I am well aware of the ticking of the clock and I hate to intervene in any internal Labour Party quarrel. However, I wonder whether perhaps the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, has not been standing longer than the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney. I am in the hands of the House.
§ Lord StrabolgiMy Lords, are the Government aware that last year there were more than 6 million visitors to the British Museum? By how much does the Minister believe that that figure will reduce if charges are introduced?
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, I could not possibly give a hypothetical figure. Where charges are made, children, OAPs, unemployed and disabled people enter for half price and organised children's groups enter free of charge. Season tickets work out much cheaper than daily tickets and apply to most museums which charge; for example, the Victoria and Albert Museum. Furthermore, the Natural History Museum lets everyone in free after 4.30 p.m.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, is the Minister aware
Viscount CranborneMy Lords, I believe that I understand the sense of the House; that it prefers the Cross-Benchers to come in.
§ Lord AnnanMy Lords, may I correct the Minister in one respect? She said that it was up to the trustees to decide whether to charge. In the 1960s the noble Viscount, Lord Eccles, imposed a charge upon the trustees and they were powerless to resist. Has the Minister taken into account the fact that when the British Library moves, the British Museum will lose a considerable amount of money in rent? Not only must it make up that amount in the running of the museum but it must find the funds to transform the centre of the museum and the space that has been vacated by the books.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, I hate to say it, but the noble Lord is wrong. The Government have given £5.2 million in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 to replace income currently received from the British Library.