asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent there is a shortage of qualified library assistants in public libraries; and what steps are being taken to alleviate this shortage.

Last September there were about 300 vacancies in public libraries for qualified librarians, and another 500–600 such posts were held by unqualified staff. Training facilities have been expanded, and the output of qualified librarians is expected to rise from some 320 in 1960 to about 900 in 1967.