§ 24. Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of a single pass for entry to all the national museums on Merseyside on attendance levels. [77392]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIn the first year of the introduction of the Eight Pass (July 1997-June 1998), the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside's annual season ticket, we estimate that there was a drop of about 27 per cent. of visits compared to the previous twelve months. However in the eleven months to the end of February 1999 there is evidence that this trend is being reversed. To enable NMGM to provide better access to its collections, we are providing it with additional funding so that the price of the Eight Pass can be pegged at its current516W level, and from 27 March admission to NMGM for school age children became free. NMGM also intends that there will be free admission for pensioners in April 2000.