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Libraries

Volume 205: debated on Tuesday 10 March 1992

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

To 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.

Reliable 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
YearBook issuesCashReal terms 1991–92 prices
Million£ million£ million
1989–90501553642
1988–89480505624·5
1987–88525450596·5
1986–87524432604
1985–86566404582·5
1984–85551377·5575
1983–84576361·5578
1982–83574338565
1981–82578310556
1980–81579276542·5
1979–80582239556·5
1978–79570204·5555
1977–78566184·5555
1976–77554168575
1975–76571149578
1974–75547113550
1973–7487·5551
1972–7376·5478·9
1971–7257966·5448·9
1970–7156257418·2
1969–7059449392
1968–6958545377
1967–6855941·5364·5
1966–6753337335·5

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.