HC Deb 05 December 1922 vol 159 cc1512-4
81. Mr. GROVES

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements can be made at an early date for the exhibition of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates at every public library?

86. Mr. McENTEE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to arrange for public libraries who make application for copies of Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, to be supplied free of charge with one copy each day; or, in the event of his being unable to supply such copies free of charge, whether he can arrange to supply public libraries with such copies as they desire to purchase at a reduced price?

Mr. BALDWIN

It is open to any public library to purchase the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I can see no adequate ground for placing the charge upon the general taxpayer.

Mir. MUIR

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the reason for increasing the price of the OFFICIAL REPORT from 3d. to Is. per day?

Mr. BALDWIN

There have been two or three questions oh that Subject within the last week, and I explained that the price of Is. just fails to cover the cost of printing and publication.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

If the price were reduced to 3d., would not the sale be increased?

Mr. BALDWIN

I can send the hon. Member the figures when the price was 3d., and I think he would be astonished to find how few copies were purchased.

Mr. J. DAVISON

Will the tight hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of limiting the speeches of Members? [Interruption.]

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member will see how popular is that, suggestion. If all Members would adopt it, no doubt it would be possible to get through our business much more quickly.

84. Mr. FOOT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates now being printed daily, and how many copies are being respectively sold and distributed gratuitously?

Mr. BALDWIN

2,875 copies of each daily part of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates are printed. Of this number, 1,800 are distributed gratuitously to Members of Parliament and for the public service. The average number of copies sold for the first few days of the present Session was 050. Interest at the commencement of the Session, however, is usually above the normal, and it would be safer, therefore, to take last Session's average as the better criterion of sales, namely, 780.

Mr. FOOT

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the recommendation, made by a Committee of this House 100 years ago, that the Reports of Parliament and Government publications should be published at such a price as will enable them to be within the reach of all the people?

Lieut.-Commander KEN WORTHY

Do the copies sold have to pay the cost of the copies distributed to Members?

Mr. BALDWIN

I think that is so.

Mr. J. JONES

Will the Government take into serious consideration the possibility of making Parliament more popular with the people and giving the fullest possible information as to what proceeds in Parliament?