HC Deb 24 March 1982 vol 20 cc348-50W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many public library posts have been lost since 1976;

(2) what is the most recent figure for the amount of money spent per capita of the population on public library books; and what was the comparable figure in real terms in 1978;

(3) what is the most recent figure for the average amount of money spent per person by the metropolitan districts on (a) public library books and (b) newspapers and periodicals for public libraries; and by what percentage this figure has been reduced in real terms since 1978;

(4) what is the most recent figure for the average amount of money spent per person by the non-metropolitan counties on (a) public library books and (b) newspapers and periodicals for public libraries; and by what percentage this figure has been reduced in real terms since 1978;

(5) how many (a) hardback fiction and (b) children's books were purchased by public libraries in 1979, 1980 and to the latest available date in 1981;

(6) if he will list the figures for the real decrease In expenditure per capita on library books since 1978 by the following non-metropolitan counties: Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, North Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Devon, Shropshire, Durham and Kent.

Mr. Channon

As the number of library authorities providing figures varies from year to year it is difficult to draw accurate comparisons. The latest year for which actual figures are available is 1980–81 and some tables are provided, as follows, which have been extracted from "Public Library Statistics: Actuals", published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The number of authorities responding is included in brackets below each figure; the total number of English library authorities is 108—39 non-metropolitan counties, 36 metropolitan districts, 32 London boroughs and the City.

Public Library Staff: England
Table 1
1975–76 1980–81
Total Staff in Post 23,082 23,173
(108) (104)
Total Establishment 26,569 24,194
(108) (104)

Source: CIPFA Table B.

Public Library Expenditure on Books Per Capita
Table 2 £ 1980–81 prices
1978–79 1980–81 Change from 1978–79 to 1980–81

per cent.
Metropolitan Districts 1.06 0.91 -14
(36) (35)
Non-Metropolitan Counties 0.94 0.77 -18
(39) (39)
England 1.05 0.88 -16
(106) (106)

Source: CIPFA Table A.

Public Library Expenditure on Newspapers and Periodicals

Per Capita
Table 3 £ 1980–81 prices
1978–79 1980–81 Change from 1978–79 to 1980–81

per cent.
Metropolitan Districts 0.07 0.05 -29
(36) (35)
Non-Metropolitan Counties 0.03 0.03 0
(39) (39)

Source: CIPFA Table A

Public Library Expenditure on Books Per Capita
Table 4 £ 1980–81 prices
1978–79 1980–81 Change from 1978–79 to 1980–81
Derbyshire 0.88 0.80 -0.08
Nottinghamshire 0.99 0.78 -0.21
North Yorkshire 1.05 0.92 -0.13
Cambridgeshire 1.10 0.82 -0.28
Cheshire 1.05 0.71 -0.34
Devon 1.28 1.04 -0.24
Shropshire 0.81 0.70 -0.11
Durham 0.97 0.63 -0.34
Kent 1.10 0.71 -0.39

Source: CIPFA Column 52.

Volumes Purchased by Local Library Authorities: England
Table 5
1978–79 1979–80 1980–81
Adult fiction 3,751,215 3,762,678 3,974,196
(89) (91) (98)
Children books 2,380,727 2,332,111 2,563,657
(89) (91) (98)

Source: CIPFA Table H.

Note: Figures for hardback books purchased are not separately collected.