§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Minister for the Arts what is his policy on the extent to which Library authorities should fully cost(a) staff time, (b) apportioned rent of premises, (c) apportioned rent of equipment, (d) apportioned rent of telephone, (e) postage, and (f) interest on capital.
§ Mr. LuceAs far as public library costs are concerned, I believe that library authorities will wish to calculate as accurately as possible the itemised costs of their services in the interests of good management and to test that they are achieving good value for money. "A Costing System for Public Libraries," published by the Office of Arts and Libraries in July 1987, provides a flexible model designed to assist them in this.