69. Mr. ATHOLL ROBERTSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the comparatively brief reports of Parliamentary proceedings in the Press, he can see his way to reduce the daily charge for Parliamentary Debates to 3d.?
Mr. GRAHAMUnder the arrangements set out in my answer to-day to the hon. Members for the Withington and South Tottenham Divisions, public libraries, universities, etc., will in future be able to obtain the Parliamentary Debates at 3d. a copy. The experience that has been gained by the reduction of the price from 1s. to 6d. makes it clear that a general reduction to 3d. would greatly increase the considerable loss already falling on public funds in respect of this publication, and in present circumstances I cannot see my way to agree to it.
§ Mr. FOOTWill the Treasury have regard to the directions given by a Committee of this House as far back as 1836, that the Reports of Parliament should be made available for the public at prices within their reach?
§ Sir J. NALLHas the Treasury obtained tenders for the printing of these Papers, with a view to producing them at the lowest possible price?
§ Mr. BECKERHave the public shown any desire to read these Debates?
§ Captain Viscount EDNAMDid the Publications and Debates Committee recommend last year that the price of this publication should be reduced to sixpence?
Mr. GRAHAMWith reference to the supplementary questions put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Hulme Division of Manchester (Sir J. Nall) and the hon. and gallant Member for Hornsey (Viscount Ednam), I should require notice. As regards the Report of the Committee which dates back to 1835, that obviously requires research.