HC Deb 11 March 1947 vol 434 c1116
29. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the work upon which the Scottish Advisory Council on Education is engaged, particularly with regard to Scottish libraries.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)

I communicated to the new Council at their first meeting, on 31st January the four remits which I wished them to undertake. I am circulating the terms of these remits in the OFFICIAL REPORT. So far as the one dealing with libraries is concerned, I understand that the council propose, as a first step towards the preparation of their report, to meet the various organisations most closely concerned with libraries, and to visit a number of libraries.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the need for improving and extending the library system in Scotland, would the Secretary of State appoint to this council a representative of the libraries who could put forward the urgent question of the library rate?

Mr. Westwood

I have already replied to a similar Question, pointing out that there are no vacancies on the council at the present time. Everyone who is interested in this problem can give the necessary evidence before the committee that is appointed.

Following are the remits A. To review the provision made in Scotland for further education within the meaning of Section 1 (5) (b) and (c) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1946, and to make recomendations. B. (1) To review
  1. (a) the libraries and museums conducted under the Public Libraries (Scotland) Acts, 1887 to 1920, and other libraries and museums providing similar services;
  2. (b) school libraries; and
    3. 1117
  3. (c) the arrangements for the provision of books by the education authorities of counties under Section 12 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1946;
 (2) To consider the arrangements for cooperation between the bodies providing the services described in head (1) inter se and the managers of central libraries and museums; (3) To consider the administration and finance of the services described in head (1); and (4) To make recommendations. C. To review the provision made in Scotland for the primary and secondary education of pupils who suffer from disability of mind or body, or from maladjustment due to social handicaps, and to make recommendations. D. To consider the use of visual and aural aids in primary and secondary schools in Scotland, and to make recommendations.
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