§ 35. Mt. Hydeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average sales to the public, exclusive of Government Departments and agencies, of the Parliamentary Reports, HANSARD, in daily parts and in weekly and bound volumes, respectively.
§ Mr. SimonThe average sales in the last few months of the last Session were: House of Commons, daily parts 2,418, weekly 1,727 and bound volumes 396, total 4,541; House of Lords, daily parts 911, weekly 223, bound volumes 282, total 1,416.
§ Mr. HydeIn view of the somewhat disappointing figures which are the effect perhaps of what may be taken to be the declining public interest in the detail of our proceedings, except possibly when strangers are espied in order that they should withdraw, will my hon. and learned Friend perhaps consider adopting the latest, most up-to-date methods of boosting sales of these valuable and instructive publications?
§ Mr. SimonI think there are some conflicting considerations here. It is obviously desirable that there should be wide information about Parliamentary affairs. On the other hand, a substantial loss is incurred on the sales of copies of HANSARD.
§ Mr. UsborneWhen they sell bound copies how much do they get for them, arid can the hon. and learned Gentleman tell me anybody who wants a lot?
§ Mr. SimonI am afraid that, without notice, I cannot answer the first part of that supplementary question. As to the second part, it appears that a substantial number do want them, because they buy them.