HC Deb 26 June 1989 vol 155 cc328-9W
73. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has as to visits to local museums and historic sites and houses in the most recent year for which he has information, and for the two previous years.

Mr. Luce

The Museums Association estimates that the number of visitors to museums and galleries in the United Kingdom increased from 73 million in 1986 to 80 million in 1988. This figures is expected to rise to 100 million during 1989, which has been designated Museums Year. The English Tourist Authority has estimated the number of visitors to historic properties as 55.5 million in 1986, 57.3 million in 1987 and 59 million in 1988.