To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the total estimated capital expenditure on school textbooks in Scotland in each of the next three years; and if he will list the amount estimated to be spent by each Scottish local authority for each year;[79816](2) if he will list the total capital expenditure on the school library book stock in Scotland for each year since 1992; and if he will list the amount spent in each local authority area for each year; [79817](3) if he will list the total estimated capital expenditure on school library book stock in Scotland in each of the next three years; and if he will list the amount estimated to be spent by each Scottish local authority for each year; [79818](4) if he will list the total capital expenditure on school textbooks in Scotland for each year since 1992; and if he will list the amount spent in each Scottish local authority area for each year. [79832]

Purchases of school text and library books would normally be made by local authorities from current expenditure resources. The available information on current expenditure by local authorities on school text and library books is given in tables 1 and 2, which are derived from local authority financial returns. The returns do not distinguish between expenditure on text books and on library books. The table also shows a combined figure for books and equipment because not all authorities' returns identify separately spending on books and it is possible that some expenditure on books may be included under equipment or vice versa. 1996–97 is the latest year for which information is currently available.The Government have made available to education authorities during the financial year 1998–99 additional resources of £7.8m for schools to purchase books and other written material for school libraries as shown in table 3.