HC Deb 13 July 1987 vol 119 cc354-5W
75. Mr. Madden

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish details of the level of financial support for public library book funds in England since 1979.

Mr. Luce

Support for public library book funds in England is a matter for the local authorities. Statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and supplemented by information obtained by my office, indicate the following level of funding:

£ million
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86
Expenditure on books 38.3 40.2 44.0 49.9 54.3 56.2 60.7
Number of authorities responding 108 106 108 108 108 107 108
Statistics for 1986–87 are not yet available.

76. Mrs. Mahon

asked the Minister for the Arts when he last met the Library Association to discuss the level of funding for public libraries.

79. Mrs. Beckett

asked the Minister for the Arts when he last met the Library Association to discuss the level of financial support for public library book funds.

87. Mrs. Walley

asked the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from the Library Association about the level of financial support for public library book funds.

Mr. Luce

I last met a formal delegation from the Library Association on 13 January 1986 when our discussions included funding for public libraries. I have since met and corresponded with individual officers of the association on this and other subjects on a number of occasions.