§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals she has to connect libraries to the Internet; and if she will provide funding to ensure that customers have free access to the service. [40253]
§ Mr. SproatI am considering the use of new technology in public libraries as part of the on-going public library review, and this topic will be covered in a ministerial statement on the outcome of the review, later this year. However, connection to the Internet, and policy on whether to charge for public access, is a matter for individual library authorities.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many libraries in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the west midlands have been closed over the past five years. [40249]
§ Mr. SproatI do not hold this information for England. Questions about public libraries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for their respective Secretaries of State.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received in respect of the future of the libraries in the United Kingdom. [40255]
§ Mr. SproatWe have received representations on both the Aslib report, which is a key element in the public library review, and the KPMG/capital planning information report on the scope for contracting out in public libraries. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State plans to make a further statement to Parliament on these by the end of the year. We have also received a number of representations relating to the Library Association's current campaign. Questions about public libraries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for their respective Secretaries of State.
269W
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the impact of the collapse of the net book agreement on the range of books library suppliers are able to offer libraries. [40251]
§ Mr. SproatThe net book agreement was a voluntary arrangement in which the Government played no part. It is to early to tell what effect the removal of the agreement will have on the book market and on the range of books offered by library suppliers.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many mobile libraries operated in(a) the United Kingdom (b) the west midlands during (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for each of the next two years; [40254]
(2) how many libraries in the United Kingdom now open for more than 60 hours per week; and how many opened for more than 60 hours per week during (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94. [40248]
§ Mr. SproatSuch information is contained in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's public library statistics, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The latest actual information is for 1993–94, but estimates are available for 1994–95.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many libraries in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the west midlands she expects to (i) close or (ii) reduce the service they provide over the next two years. [40250]
§ Mr. SproatIn England such matters are for local authorities to decide. Questions about public libraries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for their respective Secretaries of State.