§ 64. Mr. Greenwayasked the Minister for the Arts what recent advice has been issued by the Office of Arts and Libraries on the stocking of newspapers.
§ Mr. LuceThe Office of Arts and Libraries has made it clear that it is for library authorities to decide what newspapers to make available by way of providing a comprehensive and efficient service as required by section 7 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. The office has pointed out, however, that in making their decisions authorities must take into account criteria relevant to their library functions. An authority contravenes section 7 of the Act if it withdraws newspapers to make a political or industrial point.