asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government proposes to adopt the recommendation of the second Report of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, that all entrance fees should be abolished at the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection, the London Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew?

The Government do not regard the present as an appropriate time to abolish the small entrance fees which have been charged for a considerable period at these institutions. Except for two days a week the charge at the Royal Botanic Gardens is only one penny, and entrance to the other institutions is free except on certain days—generally two days in the week.