HC Deb 02 December 1970 vol 807 cc415-6W
77 and 78. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether she will provide for free entry to museums and galleries on Sundays;

(2) whether she will ensure that there is no charge made for entry into museums and galleries in respect of children;

(3) whether she will issue free admission cards for resident and visiting students to galleries and museums;

(4) whether she will provide for tourist and season tickets for museums and galleries allowing unlimited visiting during short and longer periods.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Before arriving at any decisions about the details of the charges to be introduced at the national museums and galleries my noble Friend wishes to take into account the views of the institutions concerned, which he is awaiting. They have been asked to consider, amongst other matters, all those points referred to in the hon. Member's questions.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) when she expects to complete her discussions with the governors of museums and art galleries on the question of whether children, bona fide students and retirement

SCHOOL POPULATION IN SADDLEWORTH. YORKSHIRE WEST REDING, 1950–1970
Primary Schools Secondary Schools
January each year Number of pupils Annual increase or decrease Index (1950=100) Number of pupils Annual increase or decrease Index (1950=100)
1950 … … 1,201 100.0 301 100.0
1951 … … 1,228 27 102.2 315 14 104.7
1952 … … 1,431 203 119.2 309 -6 102.7
1953 … … 1,417 -14 118.0 288 -21 95.7
1954 … … 1,456 39 121.2 302 14 100.3
1955 … … 1,452 -4 120.9 340 38 113.0
1956 … … 1,468 16 122.2 349 9 115.9
1957 … … 1,464 -4 121.9 386 37 128.2
1958 … … 1,408 -56 117.2 405 19 134.6
1959 … … 1,351 -57 112.5 405 — 134.6
1960 … … 1,304 -47 108.6 435 30 144.5
1961 … … 1,270 -34 105.7 432 -3 143.5
1962 … … 1,126 -144 93.8 520 88 172.8
1963 … … 1,125 -1 93.7 440 -80 146.2
1964 … … 1,153 28 96.0 561 121 186.4
1965 … … 1,215 62 101.2 539 -22 179.1
1966 … … 1,287 72 107.2 511 -28 170.0
1967 … … 1,367 80 113.8 494 -17 164.1
1968 … … 1,472 105 122.6 492 -2 163.5
1969 … … 1,583 111 131.8 515 23 171.1
1970 … … 1,667 84 138.8 557 42 185.0

pensioners are to be exempt from the intended entry charges for museums and art galleries;

(2) when she expects to complete her discussions with the governors of museums and art galleries on the question whether there should be one day a week or more when entry to museums and art galleries shall still be free.

Mr. van Straubeuzee

My noble Friend hopes shortly to have the results of consideration by the trustees and directors of the issues involved in making exemptions from admission charges to the national museums and galleries and will conclude his discussions as soon as possible after this.