Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 October 1999. It was answered by Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour) on Thursday, 28 October 1999 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list, by local authority, those public libraries which (a) have closed within the last 12 months and (b) are currently scheduled for closure. - (Holding answer 25 October 1999).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, by local authority, those public libraries which (a) have closed within the last 12 months and (b) are currently scheduled for closure. [95129] Mr. Chris Smith: [holding answer 25 October 1999]: Annual Library Plans and the data collected by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy enable me and my officials to monitor the public library service, including the number and opening hours of the libraries operated by each authority. However, we do not keep a definitive list of actual or potential building closures, since many are due to the reorganisation of services or the replacement of old facilities with new ones.

Secondary information