HC Deb 24 January 1979 vol 961 cc121-2W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information she has about the extent to which schools request parents to pay for equipment, visits, and other items as a

Attendance in 1978 Percentage increases/decrease on 1977
British Museum … … … … … 4,034,431 -2.2
British Museum (Natural History) … … 2,910,005 -8.9
Geological Museum … … … … … 531,453 +4.1
Imperial War Museum … … … … 1,434,978 +3.2
National Gallery … … … … … 2,500,109 -6.9
National Maritime Museum … … … 1,260,000 +0.8
National Portrait Gallery … … … … 424,658 -20.6
Science Museum … … … … … 4,971,894 +3.6
Tate Gallery … … … … … … 1,080,956 +7.5
Victoria and Albert Museum … … … 1,934,439 -17.3
Wallace Collection … … … … … 144,881 -8.5

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the total amounts at 1 January 1979 covered by certificates of indemnity issued by the national museums, galleries and libraries

part of, or as an extra in, the education of their children.

Miss Margaret Jackson

None. My Department does not collect such information. Occasional complaints from parents are investigated to establish whether there has been any breach of section 61 of the Education Act 1944.