§ 22. Mr. CAMPBELLasked the Minister of Labour for what reason the adver- 2075 tisement of the quantities of the goods indented for by His Majesty's Stationery Office have been omitted from the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" since March last; and whether, in view of the public interest of the subject, he will arrange for the old system to be renewed?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe specification of quantities, to which my hon. Friend refers, was confined to a few items out of the long list of Government contracts published monthly in the "Gazette," and was discontinued in order to save space, on which there are always great demands. It would be quite impracticable to give quantities generally, and I am afraid I do not see any sufficient reason, in view of the pressure on space, for making an exception in the case of the items referred to.
§ Mr. CAMPBELLHas the action been taken as the result of the inquisitiveness of other Members and myself, who are very anxious to find out these particular details?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, that is not the reason. The correct reason is the one I have just given, that there is no sufficient reason for differentiation between these and other contracts.
§ Colonel APPLINIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Members of the House use these figures constantly in questions in the House?
§ Sir F. WISEHas the hon. Gentleman referred to the "Labour Gazette" previous to March last?
§ Mr. BETTERTONYes, I have. Apparently these figures were given in relation to a limited number of contracts appertaining to printing contracts, and there has been no reason why this trade should be picked out, and the number given in it when they were not given in any other.
§ 39. Mr. BOWERMAN(for Mr. NAYLOR) asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Treasury to terminate the existence of the Stationery Office Joint Industrial Council?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, Sir.