NATIONAL REFERENCE LIBRARY FOR SCIENCE AND INVENTION (Hansard, 28 November 1967)

§ LORD IRONSIDE
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)
My Lords, I invite the attention of the noble Lord to the State- 2 ment which my noble friend Lady Phillips made in this House on October 26, announcing that Her Majesty's Government had decided to set up a small independent Committee to examine the functions and organisation of the British Museum Library, the National Central Library, the National Lending Library for Science and Technology and the Science Museum Library in providing national library facilities, and to consider whether, in the interests of efficiency and economy, such facilities should be brought into a unified framework. The National Reference Library for Science and Invention forms part of the British Museum Library, and its future arrangements therefore fall to be examined under the Committee's terms of reference. In the meantime, as my noble friend said in the course of her Statement, discussions are being opened with the local planning authorities concerned about alternative possibilities for a site in the Central London area, to meet whatever needs are determined in the light of the Committee's Report.

§ LORD IRONSIDE
My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that most detailed reply. I think it is still depressing to note that no progress can yet be made on finding a site for the National Reference Library for Science and. Invention. In view of the sense of urgency which he implied in an Answer given to a Question which I put down earlier in this year, and also in view of the great difficulties in finding a site in Central London, I should like to ask the noble Lord whether the Government would engage a firm of architect planners 3 to make recommendations. I would also ask the noble Lord whether the Covent Garden site has been considered for this Library, and whether any other sites in Central London, or on the fringe of Central London, have actually been considered.

§ LORD WINTERBOTTOM
My Lords, may I refer the noble Lord to the last sentence of my Answer; namely, In the meantime, as my noble friend said in the course of her Statement, discussions are being opened with the local planning authorities concerned about alternative possibilities for a site in the Central London area. My Department is in fact taking active steps now to find a suitable site.

§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCH
My Lords, will it be borne in mind that it is most undesirable that this Library should be separated from the Patent Office, as a proper search for prior inventions is essential for the validity of patents?

§ LORD WINTERBOTTOM
Yes, my Lords; I bear in mind what the noble Lord has said.

§ LORD STRABOLGI
My Lords, while supporting Government policy in appointing a Committee to look into the whole question of national libraries, may I ask my noble friend when this Committee is likely to be formed and when it will have its first meeting?

§ LORD WINTERBOTTOM
My Lords, the Committee has had its Chairman appointed, and various gentlemen are being approached in order to form the Committee. It is expected that it will report as soon as possible.

§ LORD IRONSIDE
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
My Lords, the National Reference Library for Science and Invention is part of the British 4 Museum Library and will, therefore, come within the terms of reference of the new Committee on National Libraries.

§ LORD IRONSIDE
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer. Quite clearly, the Committee—which will be chaired, I understand, by Dr. Dainton—will be considering science libraries as a whole and their role, and also the role of reference and lending libraries. Would the Government consider naming the National Reference Library for Science and Invention separately from the British Museum Library, so that the organisation and functions can be considered in the context of science and technological libraries generally and not in the context of British Museum administration?

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
My Lords, the noble Lord will be aware of the previous history of this matter, and in the circumstances I should prefer to consult my right honourable friend before making a direct reply.

§ LORD IRONSIDE
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness.