HC Deb 25 March 1971 vol 814 cc194-5W
Mr. Whitlock

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total stock of books per thousand of the population in Nottingham on 31st March, 1969 and 1970; and in each case, how many new books per thousand population were purchased during each year ending on those dates; and what were the corresponding figures for all English county boroughs and urban district councils;

(2) what was the total expenditure per thousand population on public library services in Nottingham, both in money terms and as a percentage of the average expenditure for all English county boroughs and urban districts providing library services, respectively, in each of the latest three years.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The information requested is published in the annual Public Library Statistics issued jointly by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants and the Society of County Treasurers.

Mr. Whitlock

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the expenditure per thousand population on the provision of gramophone records in public libraries in each of the latest three years in Bradford, Coventry, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield; and what was the corresponding figure for all English county boroughs offering a lending service.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The information requested in the first part of the Question is published in the annual Public Library Statistics issued jointly by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants and the Society of County Treasurers. The answer to the second part, if strictly interpreted, is not available, since no distinction is drawn in the statistics between authorities offering a lending service and those providing records for use by institutions or on library premises. However, figures for expenditure on records by English county boroughs are included.