§ 15. Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people have visited museums and galleries sponsored by his Department in the last two years. [158153]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIn 1999–2000 the number of visits to museums and galleries sponsored by my Department was 26.08 million. Based on recent data returns the figure for 2000–01 is 30.50 million.
The 2000–01 figure represents an increase of over 20 per cent. on 1998–99 the last year before DCMS began to extend free entry at its sponsored museums and galleries.
I believe that these figures represent a considerable success for my Department's access policies and reflect a great deal of hard work and commitment on behalf of the sponsored bodies involved.