HC Deb 14 December 1972 vol 848 cc180-1W
Mr. Andrew Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which national museums and galleries will be able to locate their facilities for the sale of publications in an area to which the public would not have to pay for access, and which national museums and galleries will be unable to do so.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Provided there is space in the building, it is for the authorities of each museum and gallery to decide whether they wish to sell their publications inside or outside the area for which a charge of admission is made. I understand that, as arrangements stand at present, all the national museums and galleries will sell their publications in areas to which access is free except the British Museum, the British Museum (Natural History), the Imperial War Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Wallace Collection. In these cases it was decided to be impracticable to organise the charging arrangements so as to keep the publication area outside the charging points. Every effort has been made to meet the wishes of the authorities on this matter.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will request the trustees of the national museums and galleries to issue to donors of cash or works of art to any of them, of a value of £25 or above, benefactors' cards valid in perpetuity for free entrance to all of them.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

This is one of the matters which can be considered when my noble Friend reviews the arrangements for charges at the end of three years. The cost of instituting a special card, which would have to be proof against transfer, would not be justifield for a small number of cases. I am also doubtful about the principle that gifts to one institution should entitle access to all. As regards the period of validity, a card issued to an individual could not of course be valid in perpetuity.