HC Deb 04 May 1920 vol 128 cc1882-3
41. Mr. HURD

asked the Minister of Food if he will state what is the cost per issue of the monthly official publication, the "National Food Journal"; how much has been spent upon the 51 issues already made; what is the estimated total expenditure in the current year; and when is the publication to cease?

The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)

The net cost per issue of the "National Food Journal" is approximately £88. The net cost of the 51 numbers already published is approximately £4,500, and the estimated total expenditure in the current year is £534. The "National Food Journal" was established at the request of Local Food Control Committees, who desired to have information in a compact form as to the work of the Ministry of Food. With the disappearance of the present organisation of Local Food Control Committees on 30th June, the further publication of the journal will cease. I may add that an average of over 30,000 copies of each issue of the journal has been sold to the public, and there is ample evidence that the journal has been of great use, not only to Local Food Control Committees, but to the public in general and traders in particular.

Mr. HURD

If so many copies have been sold, how is there is such a large expenditure?

Mr. McCURDY

I must ask for notice of that question.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Does the statement of the cost include editorial expenses?

Mr. McCURDY

If any further details are required I must ask for notice.

Mr. HURD

Are not the editorial expenses an essential part of the expenditure?

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