HC Deb 30 April 1990 vol 171 c438W
45. Ms. Mowlam

To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the current level of expenditure on public library services.

48. Ms. Walley

To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the current level of expenditure on public library services.

Mr. Luce

Information on the current level of expenditure on public library services is not held centrally. The latest figures available show that expenditure by 100 authorities in England totalled £495.2 million in 1988–89. This indicates a real terms increase of 4.3 per cent. over expenditure by 106 authorities in 1978–79.

47. Mr. Battle

To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he plans to meet the Library Association to discuss the level of funding for public library authorities.

Mr. Luce

I met the president of the Library Association on 18 April. Our discussions covered a wide range of library interests. The question of funding for public library authorities was not raised. It is a matter for individual local authorities.