§ Mr. BorrowTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the investment in new books made each year by library authorities since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [128199]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIn 1997–98 and 1998–99 expenditure by library authorities on books was £1.51 per person. In 1999–2000, the last year for which we have information, the estimated expenditure by library authorities on books was £1.59 per person. This is slightly less than 10 years ago when the figure was £1.73. I have proposed the inclusion of a book expenditure standard in the draft public library standards, which I published in May for wide consultation.