HC Deb 13 July 1966 vol 731 cc1457-8
43. Mr, William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council what additional staff has been recruited for the House of Commons Library in the last six months; and what are the plans for future recruitment.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

I have been asked to reply.

One senior Library Clerk has been recruited, and one Office Clerk. A further nine, almost all junior grades, have been authorised, and steps are now being taken to recruit them.

It is hoped that seven of these will have been recruited by the time the House reassembles in October and the remaining two by the end of the year.

Five of these staff will form the new Scientific Section of the Research Division and the remainder have been authorised to meet the increased pressure on the existing Library services.

Mr. Hamilton

Is my hon. Friend aware that that reply is the most satisfactory Answer I have heard from him for some time? Is he satisfied that the Librarian is satisfied that, when he gets this additional staff, it will meet all the requirements of hon. Members in the foreseeable future?

Mr. Silverman

I am glad to have rendered satisfaction this time to my hon. Friend. He will probably know that the Library Committee is at present engaged in a review of all the Library services, with a view to dealing with short-term improvements in the first place and longer-term improvements later on. The Committee has already requested help and would be grateful if hon. Members with any ideas on the subject would let us know what they are.