§ 25. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider entering into negotiations with the owners for the purchase of the News Chronicle Press Clipping Library, for the purpose of providing a comprehensive central Press clipping service for use by the twenty-four Government Departmental libraries and the Central Office of Information; and if he will make this service available also to the House of Commons Library.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, Sir.
§ Mr. IrvingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many hon. Members will be very disappointed with that Answer? Does he not think that the work of Government Departments and hon. Members alike would be greatly facilitated by the use of this very fine service, and that, perhaps, the cost might not be greater than that entailed in the necessarily fragmented services provided at the moment for Government Departments? Will he not look again at this matter?
§ Sir E. BoyleI have looked at the matter again very carefully. I am satisfied that the Central Office of Information has adequate arrangements for the provision of Press clippings. As to the provision of the service for the House of Commons, that is really a matter, in the first place, for the House authorities, 611 but if the hon. Gentleman cares to write to me, or to make further representations, I will, of course, consider them.