§ 3. Dr. Grayasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what stage arrangements have reached regarding the future of the India Office Library.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe Commonwealth Relations Office announced last November that Britain, India and Pakistan had agreed to submit the question of the legal ownership of the India Office building and its contents as at August 1947, which, of course, includes the Library, to a tribunal of three judges chosen from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. It was stated that the choice of the judges and their terms of reference were the subject of confidential correspondence between the Governments concerned. This correspondence is still continuing.
§ Dr. GrayIs my right hon. Friend aware that scholars throughout the world are extremely anxious about the India Office Library? Has he considered the possibility of setting up an international trust, or a Commonwealth trust, to administer its future with both India and Pakistan having places on the board? Is my right hon. Friend further aware that money for this would rapidly be available from many trusts and foundations?
§ Mr. BottomleyI am sure my hon. Friend would agree that consideration of this matter must await the result of the tribunal, but I agree that nobody would wish to see this international institution in any way diminished in value.
§ Mr. TilneyWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be a tragedy were the Library to be split up?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, Sir.