§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, by local authority, those local authority supported libraries which are proposed for closure; and if he will make a statement. [76390]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 12 March 1999]: I am aware of possible library closures in a number of authorities and I am looking in detail at these proposals. Some of them are part of a wider restructuring and modernisation of services, but in all cases my concern is to ensure that library authorities continue to meet their statutory responsibility to provide a 'comprehensive and efficient' service. It could be prejudicial to my inquiries to name the authorities concerned.