§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the effect of local government reorganisation on the public library service; and what account he has taken of the views of the chairman of Library and Information Services, Council for England.
§ Mr. SproatIn his annual report to Parliament on library matters, published last month in conjunction with that of the Library and Information Services Council, my right hon. Friend responded to the council's concern about the likely effect of local government reorganisation upon existing county library services in the following terms
I am well aware of the deep feelings which have been aroused by proposals for change in the structure of local government and have, myself, taken every opportunity to register within Government the importance of ensuring effective future arrangements for the delivery of the public library service, whatever the final outcome of the re-organisation".