§ Sir F. Markhamasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that the Carnegie Corporation of New York has recently allocated the sum of $350,000 to provide books on the American way of life for public libraries in Commonwealth countries; and whether he will arrange in consultation with the Secretary of State for the Colonies for a comparable service of books illustrating the British way of life.
§ Mr. AlportYes. I am aware of the Carnegie Corporation's project. I understand that of the $350,000 allocated for 1955–56 half has already been spent and the balance is being carried forward into this year.
In the majority of Commonwealth and Colonial countries libraries are already well stocked with British books. In certain Asian Commonwealth countries, however, where the public library system is less well developed, the British Council presents selections of books from time to time and in addition runs its own excellent and widely-used lending libraries. Assistance in particular is given both by the British Council and under the Colombo Plan to libraries in universities, colleges and schools. In Colonial Territories, where the cost of public 87W libraries is met from local funds, financial assistance is, where appropriate, given through Colonial Development and Welfare grants. Circulation in Commonwealth countries of books dealing with the British way of life and British technical achievements is an important factor in maintaining the links between the United Kingdom and the peoples of our fellow Commonwealth countries, and my Department is always anxious to give such practical assistance as may be possible within the compass of the existing resources and opportunities.