HC Deb 11 May 2000 vol 349 cc450-1W
Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the number of establishments that will benefit from the £1 single entry charge for museums and galleries. [120613]

Mr. Alan Howarth

Funds have been set aside and will be made available to enable the following currently charging national museums and galleries funded by my Department to introduce an admission charge of £1 from September 2001:

  • National Museum of Science and Industry
  • Natural History Museum
  • Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Imperial War Museum (Lambeth Road)
  • National Maritime Museum
  • Royal Armouries—Museum of Artillery, Fort Nelson.

Final decisions on the introduction of the £1 charge rest with the Trustees of these institutions.

I am also considering the extension of these arrangements to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the Museum of London; the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside; and Tate St. Ives.

Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the application of the £1 single entry charge to institutions which offer composite ticketing arrangements which allow entry to more than one institution on the same ticket. [121368]

Mr. Alan Howarth

Calculations of compensation for the introduction of the £1 single entry charge are based on estimates of the total visitor income for the individual institutions concerned, including the estimated proceeds from composite tickets. If trustees of institutions wish to introduce joint ticketing arrangements, that is a matter for their discretion.