§ 39. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the great importance of adequate up-to-date statistical information being available on all subjects appertaining to the employment of labour, he will consider restoring the Labour Gazette to the size and form it possessed before it was cut down as a result of the Geddes Report?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDBefore the War the Gazette was normally restricted to a maximum of 40 pages monthly. After an increase in the years 1918 to 1921, resulting from the special conditions then obtaining, it was decided in 1922 to revert to this maximum with the object of reducing expenditure. In view of the continued need for economy, I think it is advisable that this maximum should still be observed, subject to relaxation in any particular month in which, owing to special circumstances, some slight expansion may be necessary.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one-third of the number of copies that are printed are unsold, and that already there is a very considerable annual loss upon this Labour Gazette?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOSEPH NALLWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the information contained in this Gazette could be issued through the ordinary Press channels, and so avoid the expense of this publication?
§ Mr. HAYDAYIs it not the fact that to restrict the expense of this publication 1309 would mean a more costly policy owing to the withholding of valuable information?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have considered all these points, and, on the whole, the present policy is the one which we think best.