§ 1. Mr. Shaun Woodward (Witney)What plans he has to prevent the closure of local libraries.[83407]
§ The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)On 19 February, I wrote to all library authorities to emphasise the importance that the Government attach to libraries, and to underline the point that unjustified closures risk placing authorities in breach of their statutory duties. I have subsequently initiated inquiries of a number of authorities, and shall continue to do so as necessary.
§ Mr. WoodwardI am grateful to the Secretary of State for his response. However, does he not recognise that the Minister for the Arts recently said that he saw no justification for cuts in library services in the present financial climate? Yet in my county of Oxfordshire, over the past two years, more than £400,000 has been slashed from the budget for local libraries, resulting in cuts in the number of hours that libraries are open to those who wish to use them, cuts in book-buying ability, to the point that some libraries cannot buy books at all, and cuts recently in mobile library services—two mobile libraries have been removed. Mobile libraries provide a crucial service in a rural area and a crucial service for the elderly. Given the Minister's statement, does not the background that I have described make a complete mockery of the Secretary of State's belief that, somehow, the Government have a positive libraries policy?
§ Mr. SmithAll library authorities have a duty under statute to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. It is precisely because we had concerns about whether 10 authorities were fulfilling their obligations under statute that we have taken action. I am pleased to say that, following the inquiries that we have made of those authorities, many of them have already withdrawn proposals for closure or scaling down of their library services. I very much hope that others will follow.
§ Mr. Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)Does my right hon. Friend think that the Public Libraries and 622 Museums Act 1964, which I am proud to say was introduced by a Labour Government, is strong with respect to libraries? If libraries are closed, will he look to amend that Act?
§ Mr. SmithI believe that the statute as it stands is strong enough, but that it has not been clearly enough defined. Nowhere is the definition of a comprehensive and efficient public library service spelled out. That is why I have initiated discussions with the Local Government Association and the Library Association. I wish to ascertain whether we can arrive at a consensus throughout the country on precisely what the interpretation of the statute should be.
§ Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)Is it not the case that increasing demands for all library services, particularly IT, are being met with diminishing budgets because of pressure from other service areas? Is it not also the case that book funds throughout the country are being raided to maintain libraries and keep them open? Is there not a case for the right hon. Gentleman to look to match the statutory duty with a specific standard spending assessment element for libraries which is directly related to the level of service provided?
§ Mr. SmithThe hon. Gentleman is right to draw attention to the development of IT services in libraries and the extra burden that that is undeniably placing on some library authorities. That is precisely why we have ensured that through the development of the new opportunities fund, which is funded by the lottery, we are making available not only £20 million for the training of librarians and £50 million for the development of digitised content, but £200 million for the development of IT services in libraries themselves. We have recognised that as additional expenditure that libraries will face and we are doing something about it. As for standard spending assessments, the hon. Gentleman will have noticed that this year's revenue support grant settlement is the best for years.