§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will specify the reasons why she did not consult the trustees of the national museums and galleries before publicising her request to them to impose admission charges during phase 3 of the counter-inflation policy.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe Government's proposals for admission charges, which have long been familiar to trustees, were endorsed by Parliament by the 527W passage of the Museums and Galleries Admission Charges Act 1972. The timing of the introduction of charges was a matter for decision by the Government in the light of their general financial policies. Arrangements were made by my noble Friend the Paymaster-General to inform museum authorities of the decision to begin charging on 1st January 1974 at the same time as its announcement to Parliament.