§ 36. Sir M. MACDONALDasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health why the Land Court's Annual Report has not yet been presented to the House of Commons, seeing that it is now long overdue?
§ Captain ELLIOTIn recent years the Annual Report of the Land Court has usually been presented to Parliament in June. The publication of these Reports and their Appendices in their present form has resulted in a considerable annual loss to the Exchequer, and consideration is now being given to the question of reducing the printed matter. As soon as this point is settled the Report will be printed and presented to Parliament.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAre we to understand that the full Report is not to be issued to the House this year? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Land Report is the most important Report, as far as the Scottish Members are concerned, and that we have always expected to receive it; and will he see to it that we get this year the full Report as usual?
§ Captain ELLIOTAs full a Report as is possible will be presented, but it is not inadvisable to consider whether there is any way in which the loss on this Report can be reduced.
§ Major McKENZIE WOODIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it was cut down last year, and will it be cut down to a larger extent this year?
§ Captain ELLIOTI hope it will not have to be cut down, but that we shall be able to find some other way of reducing the loss; but my right hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson) will understand how closely it is necessary to supervise printed reports which involve heavy annual losses to the Treasury.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what the amount of the loss is, and whether the saving of this so-called loss is worth the disadvantage it entails to Scottish Members?
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put a qnestion down.