§ Ms GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the expenditure on school books, in real terms, for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Robin SquireTotal expenditure on books and equipment in local authorities' maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools is shown in the following table. Not all authorities' returns identify spending on books separately. Figures are in constant–1993–94—prices.
£ million 1979–80 407.4 1980–81 374.2 1981–82 370.8 1982–83 385.2 1983–84 387.8 1984–85 384.1 1985–86 375.0 1986–87 433.0 1987–88 435.0 1988–89 435.7 1989–90 461.6 1990–91 441.0 1991–92 511.0 1992–93 523.4 The figures do not include returns in respect grant-maintained or independent schools.