HC Deb 12 May 1922 vol 153 cc2534-5
Mr. L. MALONE

I want to ask you, Mr. Speaker, a question of which I sent you private notice. We have had since the beginning of this Session an increase in the price of the OFFICIAL REPORT of this House. I submit that an increase to 1s. is causing great hardship to a number of people outside, especially to provincial newspapers, political societies, and other bodies who used to take this Report, and also to certain Members of this House who used to supply the Report to local newspapers—in my own case three. Now that the price has been increased so considerably, it is obviously impossible to do so.

I would also point out that a number of people rely on buying the OFFICIAL REPORT, because the Press does not report this House fully. I have gone into the question of the circulation of the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I find that the average for last year on every day the House sat was 3,200. I understand that a large proportion of this number consisted of free copies for Members of this House and Government Departments. So that obviously the price is not arrived at by economic considerations. Therefore, in view of the fact that both printers' wages and the cost of material have been very considerably reduced, I ask whether you would look into the question, to see whether the price cannot be reduced to a lower level.

Mr. SPEAKER

I do not think it is a matter which comes within my province. I made inquiries this morning, and I am informed that the raising of the price was the result of an order given by the Treasury. The former price was 3d., which, I am informed, was a long way below the cost of production. But, in any case, the proper course for the lion. Gentleman to take would be to put down a question on the Paper to the Secretary to the Treasury on the matter.

Mr. MALONE

I thought that you, Mr. Speaker, as custodian of the rights of all parties, would see that the matter had due consideration.

Mr. FOOT

May I ask if the order from the Treasury followed upon any discussion or decision in this House, or was it arrived at without such discussion?

Mr. SPEAKER

That, I think, would be the subject of the question put to the Treasury. I do not know that there has been any discussion in the House other than the general desire that the services should not be subsidised, but should pay their way. No doubt, if a question be put down to the Treasury, an explanation will be given of the reasons for the increased charge.