§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give(a) the total number of books lent by and (b) the total amount of public spending on the library service in England and Wales, for each year since 1962.
§ Mr. RentonReliable and comparable information for England and Wales is available only from 1966–67 to 1989–90:
Public library service England and Wales Book issues and expenditure Total expenditure Year Book issues Cash Real terms 1991–92 prices Million £ million £ million 1989–90 501 553 642 1988–89 480 505 624.5 1987–88 525 450 596.5 1986–87 524 432 604 1985–86 566 404 582.5 1984–85 551 377.5 575 1983–84 576 361.5 578 1982–83 574 338 565 1981–82 578 310 556 1980–81 579 276 542.5 1979–80 582 239 556.5 1978–79 570 204.5 555 1977–78 566 184.5 555 1976–77 554 168 575 1975–76 571 149 578 1974–75 547 113 550 1973–74 — 87.5 551 1972–73 — 76.5 478.9 1971–72 579 66.5 448.9 1970–71 562 57 418.2 1969–70 594 49 392 1968–69 585 45 377 1967–68 559 41.5 364.5 1966–67 533 37 335.5 Sources: Municipal Year Book.
Public Library Statistics, published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants and in later years the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Library and Information Service Council annual report.