HL Deb 07 February 1996 vol 569 cc234-5

3.5 p.m.

Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all local authorities are fulfilling their statutory bookfund obligations to public libraries under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, and what action they are taking in respect of those which are not.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act refers to the "keeping of adequate stocks". On 31st March 1994, English public libraries held 105 million books; that is, 2.2 books for every person in the country.

During the current financial year officials have, however, looked carefully at a number of authorities to ensure that their service complies with the legislation. No intervention by the Secretary of State has been necessary, but the Department of National Heritage will continue to monitor changes in service provision.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, the House will be glad to receive that assurance as we have reason to have pride in the public library service of our country. However, is the Minister aware that if present tendencies continue —namely, a gradual decline in local government support for libraries, and gross variation between one authority and another —we shall have less cause for pride? Is it not time for the department to take a broad look at the situation to see precisely what is happening?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, the library service is one of the most popular, indeed loved, services in the entire country. The Government take their statutory responsibilities towards public libraries very seriously. We shall continue to monitor the quality of the service through the professional library advisers in the Department of National Heritage, and to draw on the expertise and experience of the advisory council on libraries.

Baroness David

My Lords, does the Minister really think that 2.2 hooks per person is adequate?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, it is too much for some people!

Lord Donoughue

My Lords, will the Minister agree that the problem in the library service derives from the long-standing squeeze on local authority expenditure that has led to cuts in book purchasing in virtually every authority? Is she aware that last year seven major authorities cut library spending by over 20 percent., and a dozen are forecast to cut branches in the coming year? Will the Minister help the House by stating how the Secretary of State defines the comprehensive service that is statutorily required? As seven authorities were reported to the department for breaching that comprehensive service, especially Somerset, will she amplify the reply she began and tell the House the Secretary of State's decision in regard to those authorities that are in breach of a comprehensive service, however defined?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, that is a heck of a long question, and may need a heck of a long answer. Ministers have to ensure that authorities meet their statutory obligations. They have full powers to intervene where they have reason to believe that library authorities are failing to meet those duties. Those powers have never been used. There are wide disparities in levels of book provision per person across the country. Some authorities spend less than £1 and others nearly £6. While some book funds have decreased over a 10-year period, there are examples of substantial increases. So the pattern is spread over a very wide area. I could continue but I think I should bore the House.

Lord Donoughue

My Lords, long questions give the Minister a good chance to find the page!

I mentioned Somerset, the subject of a specific reference to the Secretary of State for failure to provide the service required. Is the Minister able to tell the House the Secretary of State's conclusion in that specific case?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, discussions between the Department of National Heritage and Somerset County Council are continuing. One of the subjects is next year's bookfund but as the conversations are continuing, I have no information to give the noble Lord.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, as Somerset has been mentioned, does my noble friend recall that Somerset is an authority under Liberal Democrat control? It has chosen to spend in excess of £3 million on a new library in Taunton which opened only last month. Is it any wonder that there is no money left to spend on books?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, as I said, the conversations are continuing. I must tell my noble friend, however, that building a new library involves capital expenditure which does not come out of the same purse as books. Books come out of current expenditure.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, having regard to the general decline over the whole period, despite bright spots here and there, does the noble Baroness agree that it is high time for her right honourable friend to take a general look at the situation from the department itself? Will she make that recommendation to him? May we hope that some general government action on a declining situation will be taken so that it can be reversed and we can return again to what we should have?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, apart from the fact that the noble Lord got the Secretary of State's sex wrong, the Secretary of State has no powers to interfere in the day-to-day management of the public library service.

Lady Kinloss

My Lords, can the Minister say whether mobile libraries are included and will not be cut? Will she accept that they are very popular with the elderly and mothers with small children?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I agree that they are very popular and it is up to local authorities.