Alex White (Labour)

We dealt with educational establishments on Committee Stage when the Minister of State correctly pointed out that there is a definition of educational establishments in the principal Act. There is, however, a basis for considering this amendment. The purpose is to limit the blanket exemption for educational establishments. We suggest limiting it by giving power to the Minister to prescribe conditions for the loans. This does not take from the legislation but adds to its effect. While the definition in the 2000 Act may be sufficient to limit the scope of the exemption to some extent, the lack of specific conditions is a matter for concern. What is to stop a prescribed institution, as defined in the principal Act, lending works to persons who are not its students? The practice is for educational libraries to lend only to their students but is there anything that prevents a disreputable educational institution lending to all and sundry? This bears further scrutiny and the Minister should have the power to put in place these conditions.