HC Deb 19 June 1911 vol 27 cc37-8
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Irish Secretary if the amount leviable in Belfast under the Public Libraries Acts exceeds annually the sum of £11,900; whether the total amount leviable in Dublin is about £3,750 annually; and what steps he proposes to take to place on terms of equality the reading citizens of Dublin and Belfast?

Mr. BIRRELL

I understand that the figures mentioned in the question are approximately correct. I am informed that the Library rate for the City of Belfast in the current year amounts to l½d. in the pound. The Libraries Bill at present before the House empowers Dublin and other county boroughs to levy a rate of like amount.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the standard of education in Belfast is much higher than in other parts of Ireland?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, Sir.

Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Irish Secretary whether the Corporation of Belfast is empowered for the purposes of the Public Libraries Acts to make a levy of 2d. in the £; whether the Corporation of Dublin is limited to a levy of 1d. in the £; and whether he will take steps to remove the disparity in the provisions for the reading public in the two cities, having regard to the desire of the citizens of Dublin in favour of enlarged powers and extended facilities exceeding even those of Belfast?

Mr. BIRRELL

In the case of Belfast the extension to 2d. was authorised by a local Act, and I am not aware that there is any desire on the part of the Corporation of Dublin to have any further extension of the limit beyond that provided by the Bill at present before the House.

Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked whether in the Local Government Bill, 1908, power was given to corporations, town commissioners, and urban and rural district councils to levy an additional 1d. in the £ for the purposes of public libraries; and whether in any legislation relating to public libraries those bodies will be empowered to make a minimum levy of 1d. in the £?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Bill of 1908 authorised an increase of 1d. in the rate leviable for the purposes of public libraries, subject to the approval of the Local Government Board. As regards the latter part of the question the authorities referred to have general powers to levy a maximum rate of 1d. in the £, but there is no intention of making this rate a minimum rate.