§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be able to go out to consultation on the draft scheme for a public lending right from public libraries.
§ Mr. ChannonI am glad to be able to tell the House that the scheme is being issued for consultation today. I am putting a copy in the Library.
Subject to views expressed, I expect to lay the scheme before Parliament for approval in the autumn and to bring it into force in the new year. The collection of information on loans of registered books from public libraries and the setting up of the register of authors would then begin as soon as possible thereafter.