§ 18. Mrs. Castleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make the grant-in-aid of the National Central Library conditional upon the suspension of its interlending arrangements with any countries which enforce a policy of apartheid in their libraries.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that apartheid is strictly enforced in the majority of libraries in South Africa and in the organisation of librarians in that country? Is he also aware that the Library Association of this country has deeply deplored that policy? Is it not intolerable that public money should be used in any way to underwrite that policy? When are the Government going to take an unequivocal and firm stand against apartheid?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIf one disapproves, as I think we all do, of the 1099 follies and errors of apartheid, almost the most foolish way of dealing with it would be to deny those concerned free access to books.