HC Deb 31 March 1913 vol 51 cc12-3
19. Mr. FREDERICK WHYTE

asked by whose authority the statement appears in the note on page 2 of the monthly (February) list of Official Publications, issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office, that these publications are not available for presentation to free libraries; the reasons for this decision; and what would be the additional cost to the Treasury if such free presentation were authorised?

Mr. W. BENN

The works hitherto available for presentation to free libraries are those known as Parliamentary Publications, Official Publications being excluded. But the distinction between these classes of works is entirely artificial, and instructions have been given that in future Grants may be made from either class of Papers, provided of course that the present Vote of £250 be not exceeded.