§ LORD TREVELYANasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the nature of the legislation they have in mind relating to admission charges to museums and galleries.
§ THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (VISCOUNT ECCLES)My Lords, the British Museum, the British Museum (Natural History), the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland are advised that legislation will be necessary to put their powers to charge for entry beyond doubt. The Government will therefore introduce appropriate enabling legislation in time for charges to be instituted next year. This legislation will not impose a statutory obligation to charge. Misunderstanding may have arisen as a result of my statement in the debate on May 26 that the Government were not going to impose charges on any institution. This statement related to the legislation needed in order that all the institutions concerned should have the necessary powers. The decision by the Government that as a matter of policy charges should be made remains unaffected.
House adjourned at ten minutes before eight o'clock.