§ DR. COOPERTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount subscribed by the Metropolitan Police to the Library Fund for the year ending 31st December, 1905; how many new books were purchased during the year, and at what cost; how much was expended upon newspapers; whether any statement of this expenditure is published, and where; and whether, as a large majority of the subscribers do not live in the section houses, but are either householders or lodgers, and as such compelled to pay the local free library rate, he will consider the advisability of confining the library subscription to these men who reside in the section houses.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The detailed figures for the year 1905 are not available, but the total amount subscribed for the year ending 31st December, 1906, was £883. Of this sum, £254 was spent on books and £359 upon newspapers and periodicals. The statement of expenditure has not been published, but there is no reason why it should not be, and this can be arranged. Police libraries are open to resident and non-resident officers alike, and are used by both classes. If the subscription was confined to residents the amount raised would be insufficient to maintain the libraries. The system appears to meet with the general approval of the Force, and no complaints have been received with regard to it.