§ Baroness StedmanMy 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 what steps they are taking to improve library services in schools in the light of the report School libraries: the foundations of the curriculum, published by the Office of Arts and Libraries in 1984 and subsequent reports by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools.
§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, the White Paper Better Schools (Cmnd. 9469) makes clear the Government's view that the function and use of school libraries should form part of the curricular policy of every local education authority and school. Schools are better placed to extend the range and depth of their pupils' learning when library services are included in their curricular policies. The Government recognise the importance of school libraries and look to local education authorities and schools to explore ways in which the resources available can be most effectively deployed.
§ Baroness StedmanMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for that most encouraging reply and for accepting that libraries have a part to play in the curricula of schools. However, will he be able to ensure that the role of school libraries in the curriculum is promoted in the schemes of in-service training which are presently being undertaken through specific grants? Will he or his department urge local education authorities to use the falling rolls in schools to make sure that libraries are completely available for general use and do not, as in many cases, just remain part of a classroom used for teaching? Will they also encourage local education authorities to appoint more chartered librarians on to their school staff?
§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, the noble Baroness asked a number of supplementary questions. We certainly give all the encouragement that we can. The new arrangements are designed to promote more systematic planning and delivery of in-service training, and that should help to ensure a more thoroughgoing consideration of in-service training needs in all areas, including school librarianship.
§ Lord Taylor of BlackburnMy Lords, is the Minister aware that over the past few years few schools have been able to extend their libraries due to the cuts in capitation allowances, and in the main libraries have been extended only through the contributions of parents?
§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, much is made of cuts in education, but the resources which taxpayers and ratepayers put into education have increased under the Government and record amounts are now being spent on the education of the nation's children. It is 18 per cent. more per pupil in real terms than in 1979. In regard to spending on books, since 1979 spending per primary pupil on books has increased by 2 per cent. in real terms, as measured by the GDP deflator, while that on secondary pupils has fallen by 15 per cent. However, spending per pupil on books and equipment has increased over the period in both sectors—by 8 per cent. per primary pupil and 5 per cent. per secondary pupil in real terms.
§ Lord Taylor of BlackburnMy Lords, is the Minister aware that he is speaking about books in general and text books in particular but not library books, and there is a difference?
§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, I think I would agree with the noble Lord that there is a difference. Library books tend to be more expensive because they tend to be rather more posh. That is one of the facts of life.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, in his reply to the original Question the Minister referred only to the responsibilities of local education authorities and schools. Is he not aware that the Broome Committee on school libraries made specific recommendations to the Department of Education and Science that there should be a statutory requirement on schools to have adequate libraries; that the Department of Education and Science should undertake a specific training initiative for school librarians and the appointment of chartered librarians in schools; and that there should be what the report called challenge funds, which might be taken in with education support grants, to encourage expansion of library and information service provision?
Will he take on board those recommendations to his department, rather than simply making exhortations to local education authorities?
§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, the Department of Education and Science has taken on board a number of points raised by that committee and acted upon them. The report has led to the establishment of sub-committees or working groups to review school library services with a view to presenting the findings to the relevant committee. Some LEAs have issued policy statements or guidelines which specifically refer to those reports.
In addition, the senior chief inspector sent copies of the report to all chief education officers in England, inviting them to comment on its relevance to their schools. Comments were also sought from the Library Association and the School Library Association. Responses to that survey are under consideration.
§ Lord ParryMy Lords, will the Minister remind the House of the financial and other arrangements made for the extension of library facilities through means of communication other than simply the printed word and books?
§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, I think that I shall have to write to the noble Lords with those details.