HC Deb 12 April 1951 vol 486 cc1168-9
14. Mr. Redmayne

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the commodity classifications on which is based the distribution of circulars by the Special Register Service of Information.

Mr. Bottomley

The present classification on which is based the distribution of circulars for the Special Register Service of Information covers 192 groups of commodities and 23 geographical areas. Arrangements have, however, been made by His Majesty's Stationery Office to instal a new machine capable of dealing with a greater number of subjects and a revised classification covering 491 commodity groups and 29 geographical areas is now being introduced. As the schedules are lengthy I am sending the hon. Member a copy of each.

Mr. Redmayne

As this reclassification was spoken of in Board of Trade letters last October, can the hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before it is put into effect?

Mr. Bottomley

We hope to put it into effect soon.

15. Mr. Redmayne

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many addressees receive circulars of the Special Register Service of Information; and what was the total number of postal packets dispatched by this service in 1950.

Mr. Bottomley

The total number of firms and organisations enrolled on the Special Register Service of Information is 7,007. The total number of postal packets despatched during 1950 by His Majesty's Stationery Office, which carries out the work of producing and despatching the circulars, was 3,017,726.

Mr. Redmayne

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that these circulars are sent out in sealed envelopes, apparently at full rate, at a cost of, I suppose, about £10,000 per million? Does he appreciate that one firm, to my knowledge, received 23 postal packets in ten working days, and is this not a most extraordinary example of gross extravagance? Cannot he cut down the number of dispatches of these circulars, good as they may be?

Mr. Bottomley

The firm concerned is in consultation with us and arrangements are being made with the Stationery Office to improve the method of dispatch.