§ MR.HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he is aware that it is generally impossible for the public to obtain printed copies of an Act of Parliament for weeks after it has 487 received the Royal Assent; and, if, in order to avoid this inconvenience, he will be good enough to give directions that the Acts passed this Session shall be printed and published with as little delay as possible?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)We are fully alive to the importance of placing Acts of Parliament as cheaply and as quickly as possible in the hands of the public. The price has this year been much reduced, and if anything can be done to hasten delivery I will do all in my power to insure it; but it does not appear, on inquiry, that any undue delay has occurred recently.