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Libraries (Public Lending Rights)

Volume 808: debated on Thursday 17 December 1970

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25.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will have further discussions with interested organisations about the need for a Public Lending Right Bill and legislation to enable public libraries to charge for borrowed books and to pay authors in a manner similar to that adopted in respect of musicians' performing rights.

My noble Friend has this complex matter under examination but is not yet ready to discuss it with interested organisations.

As libraries are in effect charging the more serious kind of reader by way of fines for books kept out for more than a week and by means of reservation charges, would it not be better to do this honestly and frankly by legislation and then make proper provision for stopping the present practice of legalised theft of authors' property?

I would not agree with my hon. Friend's description of borrow- ing library books. I will put the points he has made to my noble Friend.

Do the Government intend that any scheme they introduce will follow the recommendations of the White Report and be based on the Danish model of using book stocks as the foundation? As this matter has dragged on for a considerable time, will the right hon. Lady attack it with a little more zest and expedition?

My noble Friend is certainly attacking the matter with very great zest but has not yet reached any conclusion. Therefore, there is nothing that I can add to my previous reply.