HC Deb 20 April 1950 vol 474 c300
17. Sir John Mellor

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will send duplicate forms for the census of production so that copies can more conveniently be retained by those who are required to complete the forms.

Mr. H. Wilson

No, Sir; but firms are invited on the census form to apply for any additional forms they need.

Sir J. Mellor

Would it not save a great deal of trouble if those forms were supplied in the first instance, so that all firms could keep a copy?

Mr. Wilson

Not all firms need them. If we were to send two forms where only one is to be returned, the first result would be Questions by hon. Members opposite asking why we sent two forms when only one was needed.

Sir J. Mellor

Would not the cost of sending two forms be negligible compared with the cost of the correspondence asking that the extra forms should be sent?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, but the cost of doing all the work involved in answering Questions by hon. Members opposite would not be negligible. We are quite prepared to send duplicate forms when they are asked for; we have, in fact, sent duplicate forms to the extent of about 12 per cent. of the original forms supplied.

Mr. Nicholls

Could the right hon. Gentleman carry his answer to its logical conclusion and not send any forms at all?

Mr. Wilson

I am only concerned to avoid waste caused by sending too many forms, but it is necessary to send one form to each firm concerned in accordance with the decision of this House.