HC Deb 08 March 1923 vol 161 cc696-7
72. Sir A. HOLBROOK

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any complaint as regards the management of the Government Stationery Department at Hollinwood; whether he will state the number of hours per week worked by the people employed there; and what has been the financial result of the undertaking in the past three years?

Mr. BALDWIN

The answer to the first part is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on the 1st instant to the hon. Member for the Faversham Division. The Hollinwood branch of the Stationery Office not an industrial undertaking, but a warehouse and distributing centre, and no trading accounts are kept. It is estimated, however, that its establishment has resulted in a net saving of about £65,000 over the past three years, as compared with the cost of continuing the former arrangements, under which all stocks of paper, stationery, &c., required for the north of England, even if manufactured or printed in the north, were warehoused in London.