§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if it is true, as stated in the public prints, that the Government have claimed a copyright in Blue Books, and given notice that in this respect Her Majesty intends to stand upon her rights, and insist that those who wish to republish the contents of Blue Boots should not do so without permission; and, if so, whether the Government will reconsider this matter, and, instead of restraining, will facilitate and encourage the action of all who are willing to circulate in a popular form the useful matter presented to Parliament, without regard to the profit of Queen's Printers or other purveyors of official books?
§ MR. JACKSONThe opinions of the Treasury with regard to the enforcement of the copyright in Government publications are given at length in the Minute of August 31st, 1887, which was presented to Parliament on September 13th of the same year. (House of Commons Paper, 335–87.) If the hon. Member will refer to that Paper I think he will see that there is no need to reconsider the matter.
§ SIR.G. CAMPBELLI will take the first opportunity of raising the question in the House.