§ 56. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the large number of rare and valuable books from private and institutional libraries sold by auction in Scotland recently, and that many of these books have been bought for overseas collectors; and if he will take steps to have books such as these to be bought in future for the Scottish nation, and so keep the libraries intact.
§ Mr. NobleI have no evidence that the number of rare and valuable books being sold abroad has increased recently. There is machinery whereby valuable books can be obtained for the national collection and I think it is working reasonably well.