National Reference Library for Science and Invention

HC Deb 02 July 1963 vol 680 cc35-6W

70. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what additional space is being provided for books in the new National Reference Library for Science and Invention beyond that originally planned; how many more volumes this will accommodate; and when he anticipates that a start will be made with this library.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

As my noble Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said in another place on 6th May, the original plan was that there should be accommodation for 600,000 volumes. Last year, in the light of increasing output this was raised to 800,000 with further accommodation to be made available if necessary. The vast resources of the British Museum Library at Bloomsbury will of course be available to supplement the current reference collections at the South Bank.

My noble Friend stated on 6th May that it is hoped to start building early in 1964.