§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now make a statement about the Government's intentions with respect to the new building for the British Library.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe Government intend to start the construction of a substantial first stage of the new British Library building in the Euston Road in 1979–80, subject to the clearance of details with the planning authority. Preparation of the site will be put in hand as soon as possible.
The building has been designed to the requirements of the Library for the Department of the Environment by the nominated architects, Colin St. John Wilson and Partners. The first stage is expected to be occupied towards the end of the 1980s, enabling a substantial part of the Library's unique collections to be housed in satisfactory conditions and providing a greatly improved service to readers.
The estimated cost of the first stage, which will be spread over ten years, is £74 million at June 1977 prices; it will provide considerable employment in the construction industry and when it is occupied there will be substantial savings from the vacation of much of the Library's present scattered accommodation.
Decisions on the remaining stages of the building will be taken later.