HC Deb 03 May 1974 vol 872 c297W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to make the provision of museum services by local authorities mandatory, as is the provision of library services.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

No. I am satisfied that, in the variety of circumstances in which local museum authorities find themselves, it would be neither advantageous nor practicable to seek to define a statutory duty which would be relevant in all cases.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, when considering whether admission charges should be terminated at the Wellington Museum, Apsley House, he will extend his review to cover similar charges at Osterley Park House and Ham House, in which are exhibited objects belonging to the Victoria and Albert Museum to which admission is now free.

PUPIL-TEACHER RATIOS IN MAINTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Cheshire England
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
January 1970 … 29.1 18.4 27.5 17.7
January 1973 … 26.5 17.0 25.5 17.1
Note: The figures for 1970 are based on all teaching staff: those for 1973 are based on qualified teachers only. The improvement was thus greater than the figures imply.