HC Deb 13 November 1945 vol 415 cc1918-9
66. Mr. Watkins

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much has been spent by the Welsh Church Commissioners on staff salaries, offices and administration generally since their appointment; and what is their present annual expenditure.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Since the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Mr. Glenvil Hall

No, Sir. Copies of these non-Parliamentary publications are available in the Library for information and Members may obtain copies by application to the Stationery Office on the green demand form.

Mr. Maxton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one cannot take a Library copy home? [An HON MEMBER: "Only one can."] Does he not agree that the filling-up of the green form is a nuisance and causes delay?

Mr. Hall

That is realised, but nevertheless these are not Parliamentary publications, and the publications issued by the Stationery Office cover a very wide field. If we opened the door in one direction, we should have to open it very widely. As far as concerns publications which are published week by week, the Stationery Office will accept one green demand form to cover the whole Session. I think that should meet the point put by my hon. Friend.

Earl Winterton

Will the Financial Secretary look into this matter, because to the best of my recollection, before 1914, the "Board of Trade Gazette" and other publications were sent with the Parliamentary Papers? Will the hon. Gentleman look into the question before giving such a confident reply?

Mr. Hall

I have made sure of the facts. Whatever the situation was before 1914, what I have said is the situation today. These are not Parliamentary publications.

Mr. Maxton

Is not the difference between a Parliamentary Paper and a Stationery Office Paper what this Parliament decides it shall be? If we can get, as we do, I think, the "Trade and Navigation Returns," which is a publication of the same kind, why cannot we have these other publications which are of great importance to hon. Members?

Mr. Hall

I do not know whether my hon. Friend has misunderstood the reply. It is that he can have these publications. All he has to do is to ask for them. We cannot do more than that.