§ Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Minister for the Arts, what has been the change in real terms in his budget for arts and libraries since 1979–80.
§ Mr. LuceCentral Government expenditure on the arts and libraries programme will have increased by nearly 28 per cent. in real terms in the period from 1979–80 to 1987–88. This figure includes additional central funding following the abolition of the GLC and metropolitan county councils. Excluding that provision, the real increase will be some 13 per cent.