§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total amount of money provided from the Exchequer to assist with the publication of all Welsh books, periodicals, &c.; and how much of this money is directed towards educational purposes in schools.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThis year a Government grant of £12,500 has been allocated to assist the publication of books in the Welsh language for general readers and it is estimated that the grants made by the Welsh Arts Council towards literary works, including periodicals, in Welsh will exceed £7,000. None of that money is specifically directed towards the116W provision of reading materials and textbooks for schools which is the responsibility of local education authorities. Expenditure by the authorities on Welsh books and periodicals for educational purposes, which will be over £58,000 this year, does not attract specific grant but is indirectly assisted by the Government through the rate support grant.