§ Mr. Fisherasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts how many public libraries reduced their opening hours in 1982–83.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis information is not centrally available. The total numbers of library service points in each local authority area, and some information on opening hours, are published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in the Public Library Statistics series, which is available in the Library of the House. Statistics for 1982–83 will be published in early 1984.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what percentage of public library expenditure in 1982–83 was capital. expenditure.
§ Mr. WaldegraveFigures for actual expenditure in 1982–83 are not yet available, but it is estimated that 5.7 per cent. of expenditure on public libraries in England was capital expenditure.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts by what amount revenue expenditure on public libraries has been reduced in 1983–84.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe outturn of local authority current expenditure on public libraries in England in 1982–83 is now estimated to be £290.9 million. The Government's plans for 1983–84 assumed an allocation of £274.4 million for this service. Recognising, however, that it will take some local authorities longer to adjust their spending to the levels the Government consider desirable, the overall plans included a margin imallocated to particular services. Evidence suggests that actual expenditure on libraries will exceed the service allocation in 1983–84.