§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury what authority decided whether a Return ordered by the House, or a Paper presented to the House, was to be printed; and, whether the printing of Returns could be accelerated; also, whether the right hon. Gentleman 1593 was aware that a Return moved for by the noble Lord the Member for Paddington, and laid on the Table on Thursday, March 27, and which the Secretary to the Admiralty was allowed to refer to in debate on Monday on the express promise that it should be in the bands of Members on Tuesday had not yet been distributed?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHIn reference to the first part of the question, I have to say that as the right hon. Gentleman is probably himself quite aware, the printing of Returns is by a fiction supposed to rest with the House, the House ordering them to be printed; but a discretion is usually exercised by the Librarian. Returns are usually printed as a matter of course; but when they are not of general interest they are not printed, or the hon. Members who move for them are communicated with, and the question is raised as to whether it is desirable that they should be printed. I will do my best to accelerate the printing by the exercise of any influence I have. With regard to the particular question of the right hon. Gentleman, the delay did not occur with the printer, who exercised great speed. The Return is one of considerable intricacy and importance, and it had to be corrected twice. The proof was returned to the printer on Tuesday evening. I regret that it should not yet be in the hands of Members.
§ MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)Can the right hon. Gentleman give a Return of all the Papers laid on the Table of the House which have not been printed?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI do not think that the multiplication of these Returns is desirable. If the hon. Member will inquire of the Librarian, he will obtain the information he asks for; and if there has been any abuse, it can be corrected at once. Any Returns of general value and use are printed and circulated.
§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLERMay I ask whether it has not been the custom of the House for a long series of years to appoint at the commencement of each Session a Printing Committee to assist Mr. Speaker in the printing of Papers? Although that Committee was not in the habit of meeting, would it not be desirable to re-appoint it this year, in order that hon. Members, through that Committee, 1594 may have the opportunity of expressing an opinion in regard to any papers?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHIf the right hon. Gentleman desires to raise that question, I shall be very glad to consider it. But the Printing Committee has never really expressed any opinion on the question of printing Papers. I have been a Member of the Printing Committee during the 20 years I have sat in Parliament, and I have never been summoned to attend it. I do not think it would be useful to revive it. I do not think any useful Papers have been omitted, but the desire has been to save hon. Members from the irruption of printed matter into their rooms.