PROTECTION OF THE WOMEN'S LIBRARY, LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

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; further notes 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.