HC Deb 02 May 1961 vol 639 cc1104-5
9. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated annual cost of a Press cuttings service to be made available by Her Majesty's Government for the use of Members of Parliament.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The expense of a Press cutting service varies widely according to its scope and nature. Without a closer definition, it is not possible to estimate the annual cost of a service for the use of Members.

Mr. Allaun

Would not this service be invaluable in keeping Members of Parliament well-informed and up to date, and in ensuring that they do not miss vital news items on important issues? Would the Chancellor consider taking advantage of the fact that the News Chronicle's highly-expert library staff and its cuttings service have been kept going?

Mr. Lloyd

I am not sure that this is a matter so much for me as for the authorities of the House in the first instance, but I shall certainly draw the attention of the authorities to the hon. Gentleman's point.

Mr. Irving

Is the Chancellor aware that limited and fragmentary services like this are being maintained in each of the 24 Government Departmental libraries and the library of the Central Office of Information as well as in the House of Commons' library? Would it not be much more effective, and much cheaper, to maintain a central pool for this service, and would he not look at the proposal I made some time ago about the News Chronicle service?

Mr. Lloyd

I certainly will look at it.