§ 45. Ms. MowlamTo ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the current level of expenditure on public library services.
§ 48. Ms. WalleyTo ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the current level of expenditure on public library services.
§ Mr. LuceInformation 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. BattleTo 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. LuceI 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.