§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are plans to establish a Scottish science reference library; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerThe proposal that a Scottish science reference library (SSRL) should be established as a national resource and reference centre for scientists by amalgamating the scientific collections in the library of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and those of th National Library of Scotland was made in the report of a joint working party of those two bodies.
Discussions between those two bodies and my Department have led to agreement that the SSRL should be set up and housed in new premises proposed for the National Library at Causewayside, Edinburgh. This would permit the establishment under one roof of a comprehensive scientific reference library which would be of great
1981–82 Estimate £ million Institution Total General Expenses Purchase Grant National Galleries of Scotland 2.263 1.322 0.941 National Library of Scotland 2.710 2.286 0.424 National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland 0.728 0.600 0.128 Royal Scottish Museum 2.018 1.764 0.254 Local Museums Purchase Fund 0.114 — — Council for Museums and Galleries in Scotland 0.200 — —