asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will make it his policy in the proposed code of practice under the Local Government Act 1986 to draw a distinction between the impartial supply of political materials by public libraries and the promotion of political viewpoints by local authorities;(2) what steps he is taking to consult public library interests concerning the possible effect of the proposed code of practice under the Local Government Act 1986 in order to ensure that the Act and the code do not impede the provision of a comprehensive supply of political materials by public libraries.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Arts on 18 February at column 673.