HC Deb 07 February 1957 vol 564 c597
31. Mr. Hurd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average time now taken by Her Majesty's Stationery Office to print and issue the reports of Departmental committees.

Mr. Powell

The time varies considerably according to the size of the report. During the last three months the average has been about five weeks.

Mr. Hurd

Is it not a fact that in the case of at least one report six months have elapsed between the time when it was presented and the time when it was printed and published? Will the Treasury consider afresh whether it might not be a good plan, if there is congestion in the printing works of the Stationery Office, to put some of the work out to tender?

Mr. Powell

I will look at the case which my hon. Friend mentions, but I think that the figures which I have given show that the Stationery Office does this work with reasonable expedition.