Museum organisation
From Lord Montagu of Beaulieu Sir: John Letts' article (April 8) on at suggested National Museums crganisation is most timely, and there is no doubt that with the forthcoming local government reorganisation the time is indeed ripe for the government to do some serious re-thinking and to review the place our museums play in our society, and also their future.
Lord Eccles has certainly showed himself aware of these problems but it is sad that perhaps many of his good intentions will be thwarted by the answer which was given to me to a Parliamentary Question I asked in the House of Lords just before Easter. It confirmed the Government's intention to charge value added tax on admission charges to museums, art galleries and historic houses. This would appear to be an entirely new tax which can only be harmful to all museums.
I wonder what advice, if any, the Standing Commission on Museums and Art Galleries gave to the Chancellor when he made such a decision?
Montagu of Beaulieu The Montagu Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu, Hants.
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