Written questions, answers and statements

Public Libraries: Concrete

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Question for Department for Culture, Media and Sport

UIN 197552, tabled on 4 September 2023

Question

Jamie Stone
Liberal Democrat
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has taken recent steps to determine the prevalence of reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC) in libraries.

Answer

Sir John Whittingdale
Conservative
Maldon
Commons

Answered on

15 September 2023

The delivery of public library services, including the maintenance of the buildings through which that is done, is a responsibility for upper-tier local authorities under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

On 1 May 2019, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety issued a safety alert on the failure of RAAC planks. Local authorities, like other building owners, are advised to follow available professional guidance. We are working with sector bodies, like the LGA, to ensure library services are alerted to available advice and guidance.

Answered by

Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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