HL Deb 31 October 1984 vol 456 c609WA
Lord Bethell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to reach a decision on a possible increase in the figure of £2 million a year now available to writers under public lending right, bearing in mind that this figure was first established in 1979.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)

I hope to announce the allocation of the arts budget for 1985–86 before Christmas. This will include the amount I intend to make available for public lending right, subject to parliamentary approval as necessary.