PROTECTION OF THE WOMEN'S LIBRARY LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Early day motion 126, tabled 23 May 2012 by Valerie Vaz (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House notes that the Women's Library at London Metropolitan University is facing closure as a result of Government cuts; further notes that the Women's Library houses a historical archive recognised by historians as unique;identifies that the collection includes a prized first edition of Mary Wollstonecraft's 1792 publication, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; recognises that the Library was renamed the Fawcett Library in honour of suffrage leader Millicent Fawcett; is concerned that unless the Library finds an extra 1 million a year and funding for a new home for the collection by December 2012, opening times will be reduced from five days a week to one day a week; further notes that over 8,000 people have signed an online petition to the Secretary of State for Education; encourages people to sign this petition and help to secure the Library's future; and calls on the Government to reinstate funding for the Women's Library.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Green 1, Independent 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Respect 1.