HC Deb 29 July 1974 vol 878 cc68-9W
Mrs. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had about the future of the National Library.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

I am not yet in a position to add anything to previous statements but I hope to be able to make a further statement shortly.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he intends to accept the offer from the Director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs of its collection of international and British newspaper cuttings dating from 1924 as the basis of a national news library;

(2) if he will establish within the British Library, or as a separate body, a national news library as a source of information and research.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

The British Library already maintains, as a result of the law of statutory deposit, a comprehensive collection of newspapers which is available for reference. It is open to the British Library Board to consider whether to develop this service in any way.