§ Lord Freybergasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the grant to national museums to ensure free access to all visitors (in the third year of their access scheme) is sufficient to match the income lost by those museums through ticket sales and through their inability to recover VAT. [HL3779]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyInitial estimates of the requirement were made by departmental officials. Further work on the detail of requisite funding allocations has been carried out in consultation with the national museums, including the issuing of detailed questionnaires in each case, and the analysis of any VAT implications that may arise.
Decisions on the adoption of the stages towards free admission remain of course with the trustees of the individual museums.