§ MR. BLACKsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Patent of the Queen's Printers for printing Bibles and Acts of Parliament has been renewed, and, if so, what are the terms on which it has been renewed; and, if the Patent has not been renewed, on what conditions are Bibles and Acts of Parliament now printed?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, that the Select Committee which was appointed by the House to inquire into the propriety of renewing the Patent of the Queen's Printer! with regard to the printing of Bibles and Prayer Books, not having been able to complete its inquiries last Session, had re-commended the appointment of a similar Committee this Session, and the temporary renewal to the Queen's Printer in the mean-time of the Patent for printing Bibles and Prayer Books for a limited period. The Patent had therefore been renewed for the object stated, during Her Majesty's pleasure. With regard to the printing of Acts of Parliament and public Proclamations the Patent had not been renewed, but an arrangement had been made by which the Queen's Printer was to print them for the public at a reduced rate.
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, he was not aware that there was any Minute, but he had no objection to produce any documents on the subject.