HC Deb 05 March 1890 vol 342 cc1-3
(1.5.) MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Perhaps the Secretary to the Treasury can answer the question I have given notice of, addressed to the First Lord of the Treasury, namely: How many Copies of the Evidence given before the Special Commission, on which the Report of the Judges is grounded, have been printed; and why has the type from which this Evidence was printed been broken up?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.

There have been 750 copies printed, and I am informed the type used in the earlier portion has been broken up in consequence of an application from the printer, who represented the inconvenience of keeping such a large quantity of type locked up. As my right hon. Friend said yesterday, if the number of copies printed should prove insufficient of course steps will be taken to reprint to meet further demands. But this will be attended with considerable expense, and I hope, from what I can learn, that the number printed will be found sufficient.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin, Co.)

The right hon. Gentleman the First Lord said yesterday that the type was broken up some time ago; and, if that is so, may I ask why copies were not delivered some time ago?

MR. JACKSON

The evidence goes over a long period, the earlier portion going back to 1888, and it is the type used in the earlier portion that has been re-distributed. If pressed, I should say I think there was an error of judgment in this; but still, as I have said, I hope that the number of copies printed will be found sufficient.

MR. CLANCY

My only object is to ascertain if there are sufficient copies or not, and I would ask when the printing was completed? It was only yesterday I received my copy.

MR. JACKSON

I cannot answer the question without notice; but if the hon. Member wishes I will ascertain.

MR. E. HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)

I would ask the hon. Gentleman whether the printing was not carried on day by day as the Commission proceeded; and was it the type of the corrected or the uncorrected proofs the printer broke up? Also, I would ask, were no stereos taken for future use?

MR. JACKSON

I cannot answer as to these details, for, of course, the printing was done under the control of the Commission, and we had nothing to do with it.