§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the 64 Exchequer whether he will state the reason why a circular was issued by the Treasury on July 25th to the Registrars of County Courts stating that all stationery and printing material would, on and after April 1st, 1906, be supplied by the Controller of the Stationery Office; whether he is aware that many country printers would be affected if this work was taken from them; and will he state what saving, if any, he estimates will be made if this change be carried out.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) A considerable saving of public money is expected to result from transferring to the Stationery Office the control of the supplies of stationery and printing required for the County Courts. The exact amount of the saving cannot be stated until the new arrangements have been completed, but I think it may amount to as much as £8,000 or £10,000. A large proportion of the County Courts are supplied by London firms; but where the work is now done locally there is no reason why this method of supply should not continue if satisfactory arrangements can be made as to price.