HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 c663
8. Mr. Raffan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether there will be an incentive funding scheme for the public library service in Wales to match the £750,000 scheme announced by the Office of Arts and Libraries for England; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

I intend to observe the progress of this innovatory scheme in England and in the light of that consider whether a similar scheme might be appropriate for Wales.

Mr. Raffan

Will my hon. Friend tell the House for how long he intends to observe the progress of the scheme in England? Does he agree that it could be of particular benefit to the two joint authority schemes currently under consideration in Wales: the future development of the Welsh regional library service, and the development of a regional business information scheme based on the National Library of Wales?

Mr. Roberts

The current scheme involves an expenditure of some £250,000, as opposed to the £750,000 mentioned in my hon. Friend's question, and it is over a period of three years. We shall very soon see whether a similar scheme would be appropriate for Wales. Meanwhile, we expect the library authorities in Wales to be alive to the need to promote co-operation and collaboration, as the scheme will, we hope, do in England. We are currently considering the business information service to be provided by the National Library on a regional basis, and my right hon. Friend is giving it very active consideration.