71. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will take steps to have published in the daily Press a comprehensive list of publications and booklets issued or in preparation by the Central Office of Information.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallNo, Sir.
Mr. De la BèreSurely the hon. Gentleman knows by now that I never take "No" for an answer. Mr. Speaker, it is thoroughly unsatisfactory.
72. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to the saving of labour and the extraction of accurate costs in connection with the list of booklets which have been issued or are in preparation by the Central Office of Information, he will give an estimated figure of the cost of publication of these booklets and an estimated cost of the commitments entered into.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallBooklets issued during the six months to 30th September, 1946, £16,500; booklets in hand at 30th September, 1946, commitments to date, £27,500.
Mr. De la BèreCan the hon. Member stand a shock? Does he realise that I had a very satisfactory talk with the Director-General, for whom I have the highest regard, but is it not possible to give the House of Commons some proper information about this Department, which is trying very hard, and is very often not helped as it should be? Would he try to do something about that?
§ Mr. HallAs the hon. Member knows —and from what he said the House will gather—we are taking steps to see that more Members of the House are informed of what is going on.