§ Mr. John Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the net shortfall, after deduction of administrative costs, which will result from the decision to allow free admission to the National Gallery of Scotland during the month of January.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe net shortfall seems likely to be only a few hundred pounds. An arrangement for an extended period of increased charges in the summer months had already been agreed in relation to the proposal by the trustees of the National Galleries for free admission on one day a week to all their establishments in the period mid-September to mid-June. In view of the small loss of revenue expected to result from the decision to allow free admission during January, the Government regard it as sufficiently offset by the increased charges already agreed for the period mid-June to mid-September, and there is no question of extending that period.