§ Mr. FauldsTo ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish in theOfficial Report the attendance figures for 1989 reported by the national museums and galleries in England for which he is responsible, broken down into the individual institutions but including their outstations, with figures in each case of the percentage increase or decrease on the attendance figures for 1988.
§ Mr. LuceThe estimated number of visitors during 1989 to the 11 national museums and galleries for which I am responsible are as follows:
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Estimated attendance in 1989 Percentage change from 1988 British Museum 4,686,454 +12.3 British Museum (Natural History) 1,549,676 - 7.3 Imperial War Museum 1,204,310 +10.8 National Gallery 3,368,217 + 4.3 National Maritime Museum 423,858 -40.1 National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside 1,348,570 -11.6 National Portrait Gallery 625,197 - 2.1 Science Museum 2,607,724 -32.5 Tate Gallery 1,940,004 - 7.2 Victoria and Albert Museum 1,378,546 - 3.6 Wallace Collection 129,010 -18.1 Total 19,261,566 valuation and (b) the relevant time limit; and whether a press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries covering the information given in his reply.
§ Mr. LuceMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry accepted my recommendation, following consideration by the reviewing committee on the export of works of art, to defer making for a specified period a decision on an export licence application in respect of the items listed. Details of the items listed were given in press notices issued at the time the Secretary of State decided to accept the recommendation; however, a further press notice will be issued.