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September 12, 2007
Even Mr Lammy said sorry
Just in case the DCMS are about to call up the police force I should remind them that when Mr Lammy told the House of Commons that 'there are more books in libraries than under the Tories' etc -- he was forced to apologise. Here is his letter-- and the facts as they were two years ago .
From David Lammy, Minister of Culture
DCMS
28 February 20006
Dear -----
During the adjournment debate on public libraries on 9 February, I said that in 2004-5 the library authorities in England combined had increased lending stock compared with 2001-2. What I meant to have said was that in 2004-5 the library authorities in England combined were adding more new lending stock compared with 2001-2.
I am sorry that this matter could possibly have been open to misunderstanding. Two written answers I gave to Mark Field shortly afterwards (Hansard 16 February 2006, Column 2198 W- refers) acknowledged that overall library stock in England decreased between 1995-6 and 2004-5, although the figure for total library book additions was higher than the comparable figure for 1995-6. I enclose a facsimile of the Hansard passage covering these questions for your convenience.
I am also copying this letter and attachments to the members who spoke during the debate and placing copies in the library of the House.
Yours sincerely
approved by the Minister and signed in his absence
extract from attachment:
Public Library Book Stock England :
1995-6 105,384,000
1996-7 103,305,000
1997-8 99,576,000
1998-9 98,101,000
1999-0 96,644,000
2000-1 94,372,000
2001-2 92,434,000
2002-3 90,637,000
2003-4 87,091,000
2004-5 84,546,000
Posted by Tim Coates at September 12, 2007 12:29 PM