§ 69. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many public libraries take the daily and weekly HANSARD; and how many do not.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThree hundred and eighty-six take the daily, and 318 the weekly, edition. I am unable to give the number who do not take HANSARD.
§ Mr. FreemanCan my right hon. Friend say how those figures compare with the numbers previously issued to public libraries?
§ Mr. HallI have not the exact figures, but I believe that an answer was given in the House a few years ago to the effect that about 454 libraries took HANSARD in one shape or another although, of course, the weekly edition was not then published.
§ Sir T. MooreHas the right hon. Gentleman any analysis of the political hostility to the Government as the result of this widespread circulation?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallOn the contrary, it would appear that libraries are taking a greater interest than formerly in the proceedings of this House.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCan my right hon. Friend say how much it would cost to make HANSARD available daily to every library in the country? Would not that be a matter worth considering?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI cannot give the exact figure, but, obviously, it would mean a loss, depending on the number of libraries which actually took HANSARD. We are not sure how many library authorities there are, but I believe they number 600 to 700. There is, of course, a loss on the daily issue.