§ Order for Second Reading read.
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time."
I hope the House will allow this Bill to be read a second time. The Board of Education have been receiving most urgent representations, by deputation and otherwise, from all parts of the country, from Library authorities, who complain that, owing to the limitation of the 1d. rate, they are wholly unable to pay any war bonuses to their staff. There are many of them who are actually unable to buy any new books. There are some who do not know how to meet the expenses of the current year, and I know of cases in which branch libraries have had to be closed. We ask for a Second Reading of this Bill in order to remove the existing limitation of rate. There is also the further point that the Carnegie trustees have been establishing libraries in rural areas all over the country at their own expense, but they are only able to carry on for term of years, and their work is 370 brought to a standstill owing to the fact that under the existing law it is doubtful whether any county authority can undertake to carry on the work. We want to make that point perfectly clear.
§ Mr. HOGGEI agree that my hon. Friend should get the Second Reading. Does this Bill apply to the libraries of the United Kingdom?
Mr. LEWISIt does that, and it also-enables the county authorities to undertake that they will carry on the work of the Carnegie trustees, and to act as Library authorities for their areas.
Mr. LEWISNo. There is no limit in the Bill, but any authority that desires to do so can fix its own limit.
Question put, and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read a second time, and committed to a Standing Committee.
§ The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.
§ It being after half-past Eleven of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
§ Adjourned at sixteen minutes before Twelve o'clock.