HC Deb 30 November 1967 vol 755 c624
19. Mr. Sharples

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will announce the composition and terms of reference of the committee which he is setting up to examine the structure of national libraries.

Mr. Gordon Walker

For the terms of reference I refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement in the House on 26th October. I hope to announce the composition of the Committee shortly. As already announced, Dr. Dainton, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham University, has accepted by invitation to be Chairman.—[Vol. 751, c. 1905.]

Mr. Sharples

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why it is taking so long to form this committee? Secondly, will he say whether or not the committee will be precluded by its terms of reference from considering a site for the National Library adjacent to the British Museum?

Mr. Gordon Walker

I do not think that I am taking very long. It is important to get the right kind of people. I have to discuss the names with Dr. Dainton and various people who are being invited. Many of them are extremely busy people and they might not be able to take up the position. They may be able to recommend—I hope that they will, because in my opinion it will be right—that the site should be in Central London, but the Government's decision on the Bloomsbury site is a final one.

Mr. Hooley

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the siting of the National Library for Science and Technology in the provinces was an important and valuable precedent, and will he resist any attempt to move this Library to London or the Home Counties?

Mr. Gordon Walker

Certainly.