Letter: Museum charges

Sir: There is no doubt that museum charges result in lower attendances. When I was Labour Shadow Minister for the Arts, I started putting in, at the instigation of Denis Mahon, parliamentary questions as to the numbers of visitors annually at all the major museums and art galleries and their outstations. I persisted in that exercise from 1972 until my retirement at this year's general election. Over 25 years those figures provide irrefutable evidence that charging dramatically lowers attendances. Now the Government must turn its mind to restoring free entry wherever charges have been already made. Certain promises were given to that effect.

ANDREW FAULDS

Stratford upon Avon