§ Mr. Hornbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current cost of a ticket to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; when the price was last raised and from what; what was the revenue from the sale of tickets during the financial year 1969–70 and his estimate of the revenue during the current financial year; what is the latter figure as a percentage of the costs of the amenity side of Kew Gardens; and whether he will raise the price of tickets 502W so as to reduce the subsidy from public funds.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:The price of admission is 3d. This was last changed on 1st May, 1951, when it was raised from 1d. to 3d. Revenue from admission charges during the financial year 1969–70 was £13,480 and for the current year it is expected to be about £13,500.
The current annual cost to the Ministry of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is about £725,000, including the maintenance of the grounds. Of this about £440,000 is attributable to research and £285,000 to other services, but there are no figures available to show how much of the latter sum is used in maintaining those parts of the grounds that are open to the public.
Besides being a research and educational institution, Kew Gardens also serves as a recreational centre and I do not think it would be appropriate to raise the admission charge.