§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 150–1, from whom he envisages local authorities buying library services; and from whom diverse sources of finance would come. [29459]
§ Mr. DorrellMy announcement reflected my concern that library authorities should clarify and specify the service they want to achieve for their customers, while accepting they need not necessarily provide that service themselves. This is consistent with the Government's overall approach to local authority provision. My consultation on the Aslib report makes it clear that I welcome views on how these ideas might be developed constructively. Similarly, the Aslib report contains several specific proposals for diversification of the sources of funding for public libraries, and I have sought views on those proposals and requested other practical ideas.
§ Mr. Hansonto ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 150–1, what is his Department's definition of the range of core library services. [29460]
§ Mr. DorrellAs I made clear in my announcement, one outcome that I am seeking from the public library review, and in particular from the current wide-ranging consultation exercise on the Aslib report, is guidance for local authorities on a clearer definition of the range of core services which libraries should provide. I would expect any definition to draw on the core purposes and functions identified in the Aslib report and to be consistent with the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.