asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed cutback by her Department of the grant to library authorities for the provision of a library service to primary schools will make it impossible to carry on this service in any sort of a reasonable way; if she will reconsider the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware of the important role the school library service plays in the implementation of the curriculum in primary schools, and that the reduction in the rate of grant paid by my Department in 1987 to the local authorities towards the cost of providing this service will cause difficulties. Nevertheless, this reduction forms a necessary part of the Government's strategy to contain public spending. The grant will be maintained at the same level for 1988.