§ Q15. Mr. Fauldsasked the Prime Minister on what evidence he bases his conclusion that attendances have risen at museums and historical places where charges have been imposed.
§ The Prime MinisterTotal attendances at the national museums and galleries from January to September, 1972, excluding visitors to the Tutankhamun exhibition, were about 4 per cent. lower than in the corresponding period in 1971. Inquiries by the Paymaster-General's Office at a number of comparable places 389W which charge for admission—the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Beaulieu Abbey, including the motor museum, the Welsh folk museum, Norwich Castle museum and Bowes museum—show increases of varying amounts from 3 per cent. to 20 per cent.