§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will institute an investigation into the potential of the public library system's ability to contribute to pre-school education;
(2) if he will institute an investigation into the potential of the public library system to expand its rôle in adult education;
339W(3) if he will initiate action designed to increase the contribution of the public library system to education generally.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsThe public library service has long performed a valuable supporting rôle in the formal and informal education process at all levels. I am sending a copy of the publication "The Public Library Service: Reorganisation and after" to the hon. Member which contains some suggestions from the Department's library advisers for the consideration of the new authorities in furthering this rôle in relation to schools and colleges. The advisers keep in close touch with developments. The rôle of the service in relation to adult education has recently been investigated by the Russell Committee and I do not consider that the further investigations suggested could usefully be embarked upon.