§ 61. Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the purchasing power of public libraries' expenditure on books over the past 10 years.
§ Mr. LuceInformation for the last 10 years is not available. In the 10 years from 1977–78 to 1986–87 public libraries expenditure on books fell by 1.7 per cent. in real terms, but it has increased by 14 per cent. between 1981–82 and 1986–87.
§ 66. Mr. HaynesTo ask the Minister for the Arts how many public libraries are open for more than 45 hours a week.
§ Mr. LuceIn 1987–88, the most recent period for which statistics are available, returns from 98 authorities show that 630 service points in England were open for more than 45 hours per week.