§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the request of the Isle of Wight County Council for an increase in grants to the cost of the libraries in Parkhurst, Albany and Camp Hill prisons, in view of the fact that the island contributes four times as much as the Home Office allowance and the conclusion by the county council that the facilities for the libraries may have to be withdrawn unless the grants are increased.
§ Lord BelsteadRepayments to local public library authorities for library facilities provided in prison service establishments are made on the basis of a national agreement between the Home Office and the local authorities' associations. The Home Office has no power independently to vary repayments in respect of individual local public library authorities. I understand the local authorities' associations are considering the case for reviewing the present agreement.