HC Deb 06 April 1948 vol 449 cc17-8
37. Sir John Mellor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the words "The N.C.B. Magazine" were printed on the covers of the first six issues of "Coal," which were published by the Stationery Office at the expense of the taxpayers.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the reply which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to him on 20th January.

Sir J. Mellor

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letters N.C.B. led people to suppose that those six issues were published at the expense of the National Coal Board? Will he say why the loss of £4,000 on those six issues was not charged to the National Coal Board?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

My right hon. and learned Friend, on an earlier Question, gave an answer at some length to the point which the hon. Baronet now raises for the second time, and I cannot add to what my right hon. and learned Friend then said.

Mr. Keeling

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no further expenditure purporting to be at the cost of the National Coal Board will be debited to the taxpayers?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

This publication has now passed completely to the National Coal Board.

Sir J. Mellor

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why that was not done in the first instance? Why were the first six issues published at the expense of the taxpayers?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

My right hon. and learned Friend, I repeat, made it perfectly plain to the House why the first six issues were charged as they were.

Mr. Stokes

It comes to the same thing in the end.