§ 62. Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the early hours of closing the National Library at Edinburgh bar the library to students who can only study in the evenings; and whether, with a view to a more extended use of the library, he will arrange to have it opened to the hour of 10 p.m. on week-nights, the customary closing hour of municipal reference libraries?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware that the National Library of Scotland closes at 5 p.m. The 1590 trustees considered the question of extending the hours of opening of the library to those of the British Museum, but in view of the free intercommunication between the Parliament House and the library in the same building, they decided that safety required that the library should be closed at 5 p.m. when the Parliament House is closed. The erection of the new buildings will permit of reconsideration of the question.