Skip to main content

Public Libraries

Volume 644: debated on Thursday 13 July 1961

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

5.

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to receive the reports of the two Working Parties set up to examine the technical implications of the recommendations of the Roberts Report in regard to the basic requirements for an efficient public library service and inter-library co-operation.

I hope that the Working Party on inter-library co-operation will be able to report by the end of the autumn, but I do not expect to receive the report of the other Working Party until early next year.

In view of the fact that any legislation in this field is dependent on the findings of these two Working Parties, and having regard to the long delay since the original recommendations of the Roberts Committee were before the Government, will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to expedite this matter?

Yes, I certainly hope that the studies will be completed as soon as possible, but Working Party No. 2 has found the need to collect a great deal of information.