§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the change in price levels of books and periodicals of the type purchased by educational establishments since 1980; if he has any information on the effect of these price changes on the level of purchases; and what account he takes of expenditure incurred by educational establishments on books and periodicals in formulating his general education policies.
§ Mr. DunnVarious indices can be used to measure changes in the price of books and periodicals. They include the Publishers Association's index of school book prices, the books, periodicals and binding element of the index of changes in university recurrent costs and the books element of the retail price index. These indices show increases between 1980 and 1984 of some 40 per cent., 70 per cent., and 80 per cent., respectively. The overall retail price index—all items except food—rose by some 50 per cent. over the period. The Department does not collect information on the number of books and periodicals purchased by educational establishments —the measure most clearly affected by price changes. Actual expenditure is subject to a large number of factors. The
Part of relevant income to which specified percentage applies One assisted pupil Each of two assisted pupils Each of three assisted pupils per cent. per cent. per cent. That part which exceeds £6,210 but does not exceed £6,750 9 6.75 5.25 That part (if any) which exceeds £6,750 but does not exceed £7,300 12 9 7 That part (if any) which exceeds £7,300 but does not exceed £8,400 15 11.25 8.75 That part (if any) which exceeds £8,400 but does not exceed £10,080 21 15.75 12.25 That part (if any) which exceeds £10,080 but does not exceed £12,280 24 18 14 That part (if any) which exceeds £12,280 33 24.75 19.25