HC Deb 04 November 1993 vol 231 cc308-9W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many public libraries of(a) more than 8,000 sq m, (b) between 2,000 and 8,000 sq m and (c) less than 2,000 sq m have been built in (i) the last three years, (ii) the last 10 years and (iii) the last 20 years.

Mr. Sproat

Information about new library openings is not collected centrally. Statistics collected by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy go back 20 years and include information on numbers of service points but do not include information on library size. The total number of mobile, central and branch libraries in England, open more than 10 hours a week, in 1991–92—the latest year for which figures are available—1982–83 and 1972–73 was 3,650, 3,598 and 3,486 respectively.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans Her Majesty's Government have to use public libraries to give the public access to(a) Government papers and (b) Government information.

Mr. Sproat

The responsibility for providing public library services, and for choosing their stock, rests with local library authorities. Official publications are clearly likely to be an important element of the comprehensive library and information service which library authorities must provide, and most of them stock an extensive range. Public libraries are also frequently used by Departments for disseminating official information.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many public libraries are open for 60 hours or more a week in(a) England and (b) London.

Mr. Sproat

The number of service points open for 60 hours or more a week in England and London at 31 March 1992—the latest date for which figures are available—was 14 and three respectively.

Access is maximised by a pattern of libraries which are open where and when people wish to use them, not simply by aggregate hours.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what ways the views and experiences of(a) library users and (b) librarians are being (i) represented and (ii) canvassed in his review of libraries.

Mr. Sproat

The terms of reference of the public library review were drawn up following wide consultation of professional librarians. Further extensive consultation during the course of the review will include the views of librarians and of users and non-users of the library service. In undertaking the review, the Department will be advised by an expert group of librarian members of my statutory advisory council—the Library and Information Services Council (England).