To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to make a final ruling in the Wirral Library Review; when he plans to publish the new National Strategy for Libraries; and if he will make a statement. (284736)

The Secretary of State expects to announce his decision on the library service provided by Wirral metropolitan borough council as soon as possible after he has considered the conclusions of the independent inquiry. This is expected to report in the summer.

In respect of the Library Service Modernisation Review, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 June 2009, Official Report, column 510W.