STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
THE RT. HON. HAROLD HOLT IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
19TH OCTOBEIR, 1967
APPOINTMENTS OF NATIONAL LIBRAIAN
AND PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIAN
From 1st January, 1968, the two positions of National
Librarian and Parliamentary Librarian, which to date have been
vested in the one office, will be separated in recognition of
the development of the two libraries and the completion of the
new National Library building next year.
Mr. H. L. White, C. B. i3., who has performed the dual
functions since 1947, will occupy the newly created statutory
office of National Librarian and, by virtue of this appointment,
will vacate the office of Parliamentary Librarian.
On the recommendation of the presiding officers of
the Parliament, Mr. A. P. Fleming, Special Commercial
Adviser, Department of Trade and Industry, who is at present
stationed in London, will be promoted as Parliamentary Librarian
with the particular responsibility of developing the recently
established Legislative Research Service for the Parliament.
The appointment of Mr. WVhite and the promotion of
Mr. Fleming follow an amendment to the National Library Act
earlier this year. This will assist the separation of the
functions of the two libraries. NVhile it might be somewhat
overstating it to describe this separation as something of a
milestone in Parliamentary and national history, there is no
doubt it is of great importance because it marks a point in
our development where we have found two separate institutions
to be necessary. Perhaps the House would allow me to mention briefly
the Mr. White, who will assume the post of National Librarian,
has since 1947 held with distinction both that post and the
post of Parliamentary Librarian. He has actually been in the
service of the Parliament for 45 years a longer period, I
understand, than anyone else. We wish him success in his new
and important office.
ALLAN P. FLEMING,
PARLIAME2NTARY LIBRARIAN ELECT
Mr. Fleming is aged 55 and is a Bachelor of Arts of
Melbourne University. Before and immediately after the war he was a
journalist with the Argus and the Courier Mail. Mr. Fleming
served in the rising from Private in 1939 to the rank
of Lt. Colonel in 1943. He held several appointments, the last
being General Staff Officer I ( Operations, Land Headquarters).
He was awarded the O. B. E. and twice mentioned in Despatches.
His work with the Commonwealth Public Service since
the war has been widely varied. It has included the planning
and conduct of research as the first Director of the Joint
Intelligence Bureau and later Controller of Joint Service
organisations within the Department of Defence until 1958.
It has also covered since substantial negotiation
and conference for the Department of Trade first as Trade
Commissioner in Paris and London, then as First Assistant
Secretary in charge of the International Trade Relations
Division, and since 1966 as Special Commercial Adviser in
London. Mr. Fleming has been a member or leader of delegations
to G. A. T. T. and United Nations conferences on trade
and development.