Libraries

Question written on 18/07/2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the funding of public libraries was spent on books in the last period for which figures are available; and what the planned figure is for 2006-07.

Answered by David Lammy

According to the Public Library Statistics for 2004-05, published by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), the 149 library authorities in England spent 69,010,676 on books and pamphlets and a further 6,201,131 on newspapers, periodicals and magazines out of total revenue expenditure of 912,620,958. These are the latest "actuals" figures available.

Planned expenditure figures for 2006-07 are not held centrally.

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