65. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of the Stationery Office in 1913–14, and what is the estimated cost for 1920–21; which of the present offices were not in existence in 1913–14; what is the estimated cost of each of these in 1920–21; and whether any serious public inconvenience would result if the number of offices or departments was reduced to the pre-War standard?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINFor the answer to the first and second parts of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the particulars given in the White Paper recently published on present and pre-War expenditure. In considering the total of the present year's estimate the new charge under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, and the greatly increased costs of labour and material have to be borne in mind. I will arrange for the hon. Member to be furnished with a list of the offices and buildings which have been taken over by the Stationery Office since 1913–14.
In regard to the last part of the question, the activities of the Stationery Office as a supply Department, and consequently the number of offices required for the carrying out of its work, depend in the main on the demands made on it by Parliament and by Government Departments. Every effort is made to check unreasonable demands, but it is impossible to effect arbitrary reduction in the Department without reference to the requirements of the Government service as a whole.