British Museum to keep free entry (Sunday Times London) by John Harlow Arts Correspondent A THREAT by the British Museum to introduce charges to stave off mounting debts was withdrawn yesterday. Directors, however, refused to deny that they received an 11th-hour promise of more government aid next year. They said only that they would try to avoid entry charges by better housekeeping. If the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is giving more to the 250-year-old museum, which it would have to reveal this week when it publishes its £900m spending plans, there will be protests from charging museums such as the Victoria and Albert, which are fearing a 3% grant cut. Chris Smith, the culture secretary, speaking at last week's Turner prize ceremony, confirmed his personal commitment to free access to Britain's greatest treasures. But he may have been overruled by Peter Mandelson, minister without portfolio, who was called in last week to "advise" Smith on handling the public relations headache. "Mandelson may have robbed Peter to pay Paul," said a political source. The directors of the free museums applauded the British Museum's decision. Neil MacGregor, director of the National Gallery and the most influential spokesman against charging, said: "The trustees and Chris Smith are to be congratulated: the tradition of free entry is the cornerstone of any policy to extend access to the public's collections, and a powerhouse to aid our nation's education and pleasures." David Barrie, director of the National Art Collections Fund, a campaign body for increased access, said: "It is a great relief, but we must look to the government to find a long-term solution to the funding problems at our great museums." Museum Security Network http://museum-security.org/ http://www.xs4all.nl/~securma/ [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]