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2nd December 2008

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Ed Vaizey protests for Bancroft archive

25.09.08 Benedicte Page

Shadow arts minister Ed Vaizey is to raise questions in parliament about the future of Bancroft Archive Library in Stepney, London, after being ejected from the library last week.

The library is at the centre of a controversy over plans by Tower Hamlets council to sell the listed building housing the archive. Vaizey told The Bookseller: "I have very serious concerns. Tower Hamlets protests that it has no intention of breaking up the archive but these assurances are not enough. I want a plan that shows me this archive will be kept together and in the borough." Vaizey said he would be tabling a written question to arts minister Margaret Hodge on the subject.

In a statement, Tower Hamlets council said: "The Local History Library and Archive Service is not and never has been under threat from closure. On the contrary the council is working hard to find cost effective ways of enhancing the service it provides to local people." Councillor Rofique U Ahmed, lead member for culture at the council, added: "It's never been our intention to destroy, separate or move the Local History Library and Archive Service out of the borough, and I can guarantee that this will not happen in the future."

Earlier this year authors including Gilda O'Neill, Iain Sinclair and Benjamin Zephaniah expressed concern about the future of the archive in a strongly worded letter to the Daily Telegraph.

Vaizey did win an apology from the council after it ejected him, and two councillors, from the library premises last week. A council spokesperson said: "Because of a misunderstanding regarding the presence of a press photographer they were asked to leave the building. The council has apologised unreservedly, and hopes to arrange a future visit for Cllr Golds, Cllr Hussain and Mr Vaizey."

Benedicte Page libraries Ed Vaizey Bancroft Archive Library