§ 62. Sir H. Williamsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why it takes His Majesty's Stationery Office 75 per cent. longer to print Parliamentary Questions than it did in 1939.
§ Mr. JayI am not aware that the printing takes longer than it did in 1939. Questions received by the printer during one Sitting appear in the Votes for the next Sitting.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the Minister say why it was that in pre-war days we could hand in a Question on a Monday, for example, up to the time when the House adjourned, and it would be answered on the Wednesday, but now we have to hand in Questions before 2.30 p.m.? Why does it take so much longer now than it did in those days?
§ Mr. JayI do not think that that is a question of printing for which the Stationery Office is responsible. I think it is a question of procedure.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the hon. Gentleman say what procedure makes it so much longer?