HC Deb 17 May 1999 vol 331 cc274-5W
14. Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve the quality of service to library users. [83422]

25. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve the quality of information technology services to library users. [83433]

Mr. Alan Howarth

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has required all library authorities to produce annual library plans, setting out their strategy for developing the range and quality of services. We have also made nearly £300 million available to help to ensure that libraries benefit from the Information Age. Libraries are also eligible to bid for the £470 million set aside from the Capital Modernisation Fund for IT learning centres.

Mr. Mc Walter

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current arrangements for funding public libraries. [83722]

Mr. Alan Howarth

The public library service is delivered through local authorities, which also provide the bulk of their funding. We believe that this remains the best way of ensuring that services are tailored to meet the needs of their users. In addition, Government are making available £270 million through the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund to develop a Public Libraries IT Network which will link public libraries to the National Grid for Learning by 2002. This funding includes streams to help develop network infrastructure, create digital content for the Network and train library staff in IT skills.