§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress is being made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research towards the formation of a national lending library for science and technology; and the estimated cost of this development.
§ Mr. H. NichollsProvision has been made in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 5-year plan for 1959–64 for the National Lending Library for Science and Technology to be fully operational in 1962. Some buildings of the former Royal Ordnance Factory, Thorp Arch, are being adapted for use by the library, and it is anticipated that these will be available for occupation by March, 1961. At present literature is being collected for the new library, and a Russian translating programme has been started.
When the library is fully operational it is estimated that the annual cost will be £280,000. The estimated cost of adapting and equipping the buildings for the library is £250,000.