Museums and Galleries (Hansard, 22 December 1971)

§ Mr. Faulds
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are her present estimates, broken down to each individual case, of the net receipts from admission charges to the national museums and galleries during the first 12 months of their imposition after the deduction of the full cost of collection, that is, after deduction of the cost of equipment as well as staffing; and what percentage of the total gross estimated receipts the deduction of the total full cost of collection amounts to.

§ Mr. van Straubenzee
A true comparison of the first year's receipts with the cost of collection involves the amortisation of the capital cost of equipment and installation.
These figures are not immediately available.

§ Mr. Faulds
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which of the five national museums and galleries which were originally established by Treasury Minute have subsequently received statutory powers; and if she will specify the relevant Acts.

§ Mr. van Straubenzee
The National Gallery Act, 1856, and The National Gallery and Tate Gallery Acts, 1954, relate to the powers of the trustees of those two galleries for the acquisition, lending and disposal of the collections. Otherwise the powers of the Trustees of the London Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate Gallery and the Wallace Collection are not regulated by statute.

§ Mr. Faulds
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has to seek to remove the power of the Trustees of the National Gallery to determine at their discretion the amounts and incidence of admission charges at that institution, recognised by the Treasury in correspondence in 1921.

§ Mr. van Straubenzee
I assume that reference is being made to the Treasury letter to the Trustees of 9th February,378W 1921. This letter recognises the power of the Trustees to impose. entrance fees on such additional days (or increased rates of entrance) as the Trustees … may in their discretion (subject to Their Lordships' consent) determine". The legislation at present before the House does not seek to change these arrangements.