§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many people visited the museums and galleries at which charges were imposed by the last administration during the months of January and February; and how many people visited the same museums and galleries during the same months in 1973.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsThe total number of visitors to museums and galleries during January and February 1974 were 570,855 and 616,710 respectively. Comparable figures for January and February 1973 were 1,036,897 and 1,101,037.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what were the comparative public attendance figures at the national museums and galleries for the months of January to March inclusive in 1973 and 1974, respectively, broken down to the totals for each individual institution, and, in respect of 1974, including separate figures for paying visitors, and indicating cases and months in which temporary exhibitions affected the figures;
(2) what were the sums collected from the public for visits to the national museums and galleries during the months of January to March 1974 inclusive, 111W broken down to the totals for each individual institution, taking into account that season ticket holders are entitled to claim a refund of 80 per cent.;
(3) what were the estimated costs of the collection of admission charges from the public at the national museums and galleries during the months of January to March 1974 inclusive, broken down to the totals for each individual institution, such costs to include those for staffing and for expenditure in connection with machines, installation costs and tickets.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsThe information is not yet available. I will write to my hon. Friend when returns are complete.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the net sums, after deduction of all collection costs and of value added tax, which accrued to the funds at the disposal of the national museums and galleries from the imposition of admission charges during the months from January to March 1974 inclusive, broken down to the totals for each individual institution.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsProvision for additions to the Votes in respect of the estimated net receipts from admission charges from January to March 1974 was made in the Spring Supplementary Estimates presented on 13th March 1974. The amounts included were:—
£ British Museum 14,000 Science Museum 17,000 Victoria and Albert Museum 19,000 Imperial War Museum 3,800 London Museum 1,000 National Gallery 10,000 National Portrait Gallery 5,000 Tate Gallery 8,000 Wallace Collection 1,000 British Museum (Natural History) 13,000 Geological Museum 7,500 National Galleries of Scotland 1,800 National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland 300 Royal Scottish Museum 2,500 National Museum of Wales 2,900