BRITISH LIBRARY (Hansard, 21 January 1980)

§ 27. Mr. Neubert
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received on the relocation of the British Library.

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
I have recently received a letter from the president of the Royal Society urging that work on the new building on the Euston Road site should begin as soon as possible and I have also had strong representations in favour of the new building from a number of distinguished people involved with the library in one way or another.

§ Mr. Neubert
I do not wish my hon. Friend to pre-empt the work of the new Select Committee, but will he at least agree that the project to re-site the British Library at a cost of about £200 million, involving the loss of the use of the historic reading room, is not auspicious at this time? Are there any cost implications in extra time being provided for consideration before a decision is made?

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
I am reviewing the project. The sum mentioned by my hon. Friend must be spread over a number of years. Conservation of the books is vital. The British Library should be able to give a first-rate service not only to British readers but to scholars from all over the world.

§ Mr. Dalyell
What is the latest proposed timetable for the work?

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
We are reviewing the whole project. There is no question of the project being carried out in one year or even in two or three years. I hope to be in the position to tell the House the Government's proposals when the review has been finished.

§ Mr. Cormack
Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of us would agree that in this context Cardinal Newman was right when he said that one step was enough? Does he agree that there is a real case for retaining the reading room? Will he pay proper attention to the representations of scholars all over the world to retain that historic place?

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
The preservation of the reading room is involved in the review. I offer another saying by the great cardinal. He said that to change is to be human and to change often is to be perfect.

§ Mr. Faulds
Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government will not allow the Secretary of State for the Environment to sell off the Bloomsbury site—there are rumours to that effect—because it would pre-empt the future possible use of that very valuable site for these purposes?

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
That is a matter for my right hon. Friend. I have no ministerial responsibility for it.