§ 20. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about his duties in the field of informatics and telematics.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. Friend has at present no specific duties in this area. However, our responsibilities for the British Library and the public library service give us a strong interest in developments in information storage and retrieval.
§ Mr. PriceDoes the Minister recall that when his right hon. Friend came to the Select Committee he said that he might be a very good lead Minister in these matters? Can he give us any guarantee that the expertise which exists in the British Library in these matters will be put to the full use of the Government and the new Minister in charge of these matters? When does the Chancellor's Department intend to reply to the Select Committee's report on these matters?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am aware of the dialogue and the exchanges which took place when my right hon. Friend appeared before the Select Committee. That report is still being considered, in consultation with my other right hon. Friends who have interests in this area. The British Library is well aware of its responsibilities. My office is discussing with it some of the implications of the Select Committee's report, and the library advisory council will also be looking at the role of the British Library.