§ 12. Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what criteria or benchmarks are used to measure the quality of service provided by his Department.
§ Mr. SproatWe have performance targets for the key areas in which services are delivered to ensure that they are of high quality and that they support the Department's aims and objectives.
§ Mr. MackinlayWhy does the Minister not use the year 1979 as his benchmark? Does he agree that our cherished buildings are falling into decay, we cannot excel in international sporting competitions and the quality of our performing arts is being diminished as a result of lack of funding? Is he aware that the Library Association is especially worried about the serious cuts in the public library service in recent years and the fact that the Treasury projects a further two years of cuts in that area? How does the Minister intend to ensure 681 that public libraries are enhanced, improved and reopened instead of being closed, as has been the hallmark of the Tory years?
§ Mr. SproatI will deal with as many of the hon. Gentleman's questions as I can remember.
Capital expenditure on sports facilities will come under the lottery and I hope that that will be wisely used.
On the arts, the hon. Gentleman knows that £191.1 million has been given to the Arts Council of England next year—an increase of 3.7 per cent.
Like the hon. Gentleman, I wish local public libraries to flourish. With regard to spending, the hon. Gentleman should speak to the Department of the Environment about the standard spending assessment.
§ Mr. FisherHas the Minister actually read the Library Association's survey, which shows the cuts that are taking place in library authorities controlled by all political parties throughout the country? Does he not understand the damage that cuts in public libraries do to communities, to the education of children and of adults, to literacy and to the information revolution that the Government surely want to take place? How can people take full advantage of the information revolution coming through the super-highways if, as a result of the stupid cuts that the Conservative Government are implementing, access to information cannot be obtained through public libraries, which are the one means of access that everyone—small companies and individuals—can have to the information revolution?
§ Mr. SproatOn the hon. Gentleman's main point, I share his views on the importance of public libraries. My Department will shortly be publishing our response to the review and opportunities will no doubt be found in the House to discuss both the review and the Department's response to it.