§ 26. Mr. Cookasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is satisfied with the provision contained in Cmnd. 7841 for expenditure on library services.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas)Yes, Sir.
§ Mr. CookHow can the right hon. Gentleman be satisfied with figures showing that the Government will impose a cut in real terms of 18 per cent. on the expenditure on local authority libraries in the programme that the Government inherited? How can he defend the barbarian priorities of a Government who impose that kind of cut on the main facilities which provide the principal contact with the arts for millions of people outside the West End of London? Why was his Prime Minister able to go to the Royal Academy and have the brass neck to misrepresent the expenditure on libraries as showing an increase over the next five years?
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe hon. Gentleman is exaggerating. As the White Paper on Public Expenditure shows that provision for the arts and libraries in Great Britain will fall from £383 million this year to £370 million in 1982–83 and 1983–84, that is a reduction of only 3⅓ per cent. in the overall arts budget. By comparison with cuts in other spheres of public services, the arts are not doing too badly.
§ Mr. HillIs my right hon. Friend aware that what is important is not always simply the expenditure on library services but the time taken to make the decisions? He will know of my interest in the Southampton university library. The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, after 15 months, has not come to a decision whether that famous library should or should not have the Wellington papers. Will he at least 1039 take away the message that we need a decision before too long?
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe expenditure on local libraries is determined by local authorities.
Southampton university library has made an application for the Wellington papers. I have been in correspondence with the advisory committee on this matter and I hope that a final decision will be reached very shortly.
§ Mr. FauldsWill the right hon. Gentleman give a specific assurance to the House that he will steadfastly oppose any introduction of charges for the borrowing of books from libraries? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because it is on the cards.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIt is not on my cards. [Interruption.] I am glad to have that unsolicited tribute. The Government are totally opposed to an introduction of library charges. I hope my reply will lay that bogy finally to rest. And, please—no more applause from my claque.