§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked Whether, since the publication of the Bills of Entry has been taken out of the hands of the Directors of the Customs Benevolent Fund, the number of subscribers has increased or diminished, and what is the extent of such increase or diminution; and, to state what is the amount of revenue derived from the Bill of Entry Office since the profits were appropriated by the Treasury, and what was the amount received during the corresponding months of the previous year when the business was carried on by the Directors of the Customs Benevolent Fund for the benefit of widows and orphans of Customs officers?
§ MR. J. HOLMSSince the 31st of December, 1879, the publication of the Bills of Entry has been retained in the hands of the Government, and the number of subscribers has diminished. In June, 1879, the number of subscribers was 5,422; in June, 1880, 5,463; in June, 1881, 4,881. And the amount of profit derived was, for the half-year ending June, 1879, £4,320; for the half-year ending June 1880, £4,084; and for the half-year ending June, 1881, £3,611. I should add that a decrease was fully expected owing to certain changes which, after very careful investigation, the Government thought it prudent to make in the character of the information given to the public in these publications.