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Written question asked by Jo Cox (Labour) on Monday, 18 January 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 January 2016. It was answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 January 2016 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.


Public Libraries

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what restrictions exist for local authorities in respect of charging for membership of public libraries.

Answer

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 restricts local authorities in England and Wales from charging for library facilities made available by the authority unless permitted by the Library Charges (England and Wales) Regulations 1991. These regulations empower local authorities in England and Wales to make certain charges for the provision of library facilities but this does not include charging for ordinary library membership.


The Government has no plans to amend the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to allow local authorities to specifically charge for ordinary membership of public libraries..


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
22818
Session
2015-16
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Fees and charges Membership Public libraries
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk