§ The Earl of Clancartyasked Her Majesty's Government:
By which date next year it is intended that all national museums and galleries shall have free entry at all times for schoolchildren as the first stage of their commitment to universal free entry to national museums and galleries; or, if this date is not yet known, when this date will be announced. [HL3181]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Secretary of State announced the conclusions of his Departmental Spending Review on 24 July. This included an extra 77WA £100 million for museums and galleries, part of which will be used "to enable Trustees of the major national collections—including those which currently charge—to introduce free access for children from April 1999". We are having detailed discussions with the six national museums affected and a further announcement will be made as part of our funding allocations in November.