§ 16. Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the future of the public library service. [14194]
§ Mr. SproatThe Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the whole of the public library service. I hope to make a further statement on the review shortly.
§ Mr. MillerWill the Minister state unequivocally that in no circumstances will he, as part of that review, countenance the privatisation of any public library or any service within public libraries?
§ Mr. SproatThe hon. Gentleman must wait for the announcement that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy will make in due course. However, I can tell him that the consultants that we used recommended against privatisation of the public library system. I should therefore be very surprised if that were to be recommended. Indeed, it would be contrary to the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
On the question of contracting out, which the Labour party sometimes regards as privatisation, KPMG Peat Marwick delivered its report on this important subject last Friday at 10 o'clock, and we shall look at it closely. Whatever is or is not contracted out, however, the 1964 Act—which requires all local authorities to maintain a comprehensive, effective and efficient service—will remain in force.