§ 2.49 p.m.
§ Lord ArdwickMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the report is true that the London University Library Resources Committee has recommended the closure of the photographic slide library.
§ Baroness HooperNo, my Lords. I understand that the committee's recommendation was that new ways should be found of funding the slide library.
§ Lord ArdwickMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer. This will give great reassurance to many extramural students who regard the library as an absolutely essential teaching aid in the appreciation of art. I also ask the noble Baroness whether she is aware that they are extremely disturbed at the threat of the savage cuts over the next three years in the extramural department of London University; so much so that the department itself may be jeopardised.
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, in so far as the Question concerns the University of London library—that is, the central library and not the more heavily used individual college libraries—this is currently operating at a deficit, and it is consequently reviewing which of its activities might be reduced or how additional income might be attracted, which has given cause to the rumours which prompted the noble Lord's Question.
It is recognised that the library has a collection of over 300,000 photographic slides covering architecture and fine arts and that this collection is held mainly to support teaching by the Department of Extramural Studies. But, as I have said, there is no question of the collection being disposed of in any way but of seeking to find sources of alternative funding.