§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister for the Arts what public funds have been made available to libraries during the current year; what the amount was in May 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonExpenditure on the public library service in England in 1979–80 was £ 214 million. The estimated outturn figure for 1991–92 is £ 590 million, which is a cash increase of £ 283.6 million and an increase in real terms of 18.6 per cent.