HC Deb 11 December 1973 vol 866 cc77-8W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement explaining by what means it is proposed to give effect to her undertaking to the House that the entire proceeds from admission charges are to be freely at the disposal of the trustees of the institutions for defraying the cost of minor structural work without being appropriated in the Estimates when calculating the total sums of which the details are not in future to be separately specified and accounted for.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Subject to parliamentary approval of the Estimates, the 1974–75 Vote for each of the national museums and galleries is being increased by the estimated net amount of their receipts from admission charges. The institutions are being consulted about the uses to which they wish to apply the additional money; their choice is not restricted to minor structural works. The extent to which additional minor works can be undertaken is limited by the resources of the building industry in London but I will consider with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any additional minor works which the trustees desire can be accommodated within his programmes.