§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether estimated expenditure per head of population on library books was higher or lower than actual expenditure between 1978– 79 and 1981– 82.
The Minister of State, Privy Council Office, and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)Statistics compiled by the Chartered Inistitute of Public Finance and Accounts show that, in England, the estimated expenditure per head of population on library books was lower than actual expenditure between 1978– 79 and 1981– 2. The detailed figures are as follows:—
Estimated Book expenditure per head in £ Actual book expenditure per head in £ 1978– 79 English counties .6345 .6802 London boroughs 1.0350 1.1196 Metropolitan districts .6997 .7673 1979– 80 English counties .7081 .719 London boroughs 1.1989 1.251 Metropolitan districts .7941 .832 1980– 81 English counties .7355 .766 London boroughs 1.2298 1.321 Metropolitan districts .8573 .907 1981– 82 English counties .782 .816 London boroughs .1146 1.342 Metropolitan districts .954 .996 (Source: CIPFA. Public Library Statistics Estimates and Actuals)