§ 30. Dr. Kingasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will amend current practice so that hon. Members requiring, for their Parliamentary duties, Government Papers printed before the present Session may obtain them free of charge.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe present practice has worked to the general satisfaction of hon. Members since 1924. I am not aware of any changed circumstance or of any such feeling among hon. Members as to justify the change suggested by the hon. Member. But my right hon. Friend is always ready to consider any views which hon. Members may hold.
§ Dr. KingWhile nobody would wish to secure for hon. Members the right to obtain all Government publications free, would the Minister not agree that if a Member needs a Government publication for work that he is doing in the House, he should be able to obtain it free, provided he satisfies some Department that he does so need it?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI think there must be some limit, and the present limits which were announced by the late Mr. William Graham from this Box in 1924 have, I think, worked pretty satisfactorily since them. If the hon. Gentleman has any aspect of the matter that he would like to raise, over and above that to which he has already drawn my attention in his letter, I will very gladly look into it.