§ Lord Freybergasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which national museums are considering the introduction of admission charges.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside have decided to proceed with the extension of their existing admission charges arrangements with effect from 8 July. However, they have agreed to review this policy later this year. The British Museum Trustees decided in December 1996 to maintain free admission. However, they have stated that the introduction of admission charges could not be ruled out for the future, although they would regret such a move. No other national museums and galleries which offer free entry have notified this department that they are considering the introduction of admission charges.
§ Lord Freybergasked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the total monetary cost of the abolition of admission charges at national museums, indicating the figures for each museum that currently imposes admission charges.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe five national museums in England which charge for admission (excluding the Royal Armouries) recently estimated that the cost to them of abolishing general admission charges would amount to some £19.86 million. This includes both £11.45 million for admissions income and £8.41 million reclaimable VAT. The estimated cost is broken down as follows: the Imperial War Museum—£5.55 million; the National Maritime Museum—£1.49 million; the Natural History Museum—£5.13 million; the National Museum of Science & Industry—£5.38 million; and the Victoria & Albert Museum—£2.31 million. The cost, however, to the Exchequer would only amount to some £11.45 million. The Government are aware that the National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside will extend admissions charges to all of their sites from 8 July. The cost of the abolition of admissions charges to the institution is estimated to amount to some £1.50 million in a full year.