Mr. Paul Shovlin:

Yes, 30 have been vacated and we have not been able to fill them. The library is very stretched. One hopes there will be some relief under those controls. We are in the process of appointing a head of security and facilities management. We had to get special permission for that appointment, which is an absolutely crucial appointment. We are grateful for that but we need to be in a position where we have far more flexibility. We have been nailed to the cross. The Senator mentioned the mood music on the legislation. The mood music has gone silent, so we are taking that as a positive indicator.

Regarding material under threat, the collections are there and in the case of photographic collections when the photographs get old certain chemicals start to change their nature and the photographs start to disintegrate. Undoubtedly, there are issues in that regard. There are also issues in the main collections. There is potentially water damage and fire damage. To be fair to the staff of the library, they have done their best and we are hopeful that any damage would be minimal. Nevertheless, it is walking something of a tightrope. One should not have to worry about these things. These are national collections. One of my missions is to articulate this problem in a way that does not get into an argument, so people will say that it is a genuine and reasonable position and that funds are needed. It is investment, not necessarily to spend more money. We just need investment. That is crucial.

The Senator mentioned section 1003. It has been used over the last few years, although not very often. We are hoping to use it more. As good, important national collections come up, we are anxious to be in a position to have a proposition to put to the people who are giving, selling or offering these collections to us. We hope to be able to use section 1003.

I hope I have answered all the Senator's questions.