Museums and Galleries

HC Deb 17 January 1972 vol 829 cc82-3W

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the estimates given by her of the gross annual receipts from admission charges at the national museums and galleries have the endorsement of all the institutions concerned; and, in the event of her Department alone being responsible for certain estimates, if she will specify the particular institutions to which this applies.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The estimates are those submitted by the various institutions for the draft Supply Estimates for 1972–73.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when. in view of the relevance of the matter to the proposed admission charges to the national museums and galleries and the impending legislation relating thereto, she anticipates that the outcome will be made public of the discussions opened by the Paymaster-General with the national museums and galleries with the object of reviewing their relationship with the Government.

Mr. van Straubenzee

My noble Friend will make public the results of his discussions with the trustees of the national museums and galleries on the subject of their relations with the Government in due course. He does not however expect that there will be implications for the legislation on museum and gallery charges.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the power to make rules or regulations requiring payment to be made for admission to the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum remains the exclusive prerogative of the trustees of those institutions, in accordance with the respective Acts of 1920, Section 2(a), and 1934, Section 2(3)(a); and if she will undertake not to seek powers to overrule this prerogative.

Mr. van Straubenzee

There is no intention to seek alteration of Section 2(a) of the Imperial War Museum Act, 1920, or Section 2(3)(a) of the National Maritime Museum Act, 1934, which empower the respective trustees to make rules and regulations requiring payment to be made for admission to the museums.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will specify which of the national museums and galleries are exempt charities under paragraph (a) of the Second Schedule to the Charities Act, 1960.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum.