§ 7. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the price of one-inch Ordnance Survey maps has been increased by 18 per cent.; and whether resale price maintenance applies to them.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Mackie)The prices were increased to relieve the general taxpayer of at least part of the increased cost of the Ordnance Survey. They cover the cost of reproduction and distribution plus some contribution to the costs of the Survey as a whole, but there is still a substantial Exchequer subsidy involved.
The Ordnance Survey prescribes net retail prices in accordance with the custom of the book trade. Maps have been registered under the Resale Prices Act and are, therefore, temporarily exempt from the prohibition of resale price maintenance.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that private map producers have not found it necessary to put up their prices? Is not this another case of inefficiency and pampering in a nationalised industry, and will he approach his right hon. Friend the First Secretary to see whether this could be referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes?
§ Mr. MackieProducers of private maps have nothing to do with the question of the cost of the Ordnance Survey. The hon. Gentleman must know that. Quite frankly, it is a pretty poor point that he makes. The Ordnance Survey has all the work to do and, at this time, as the hon. Gentleman knows, with all the redevelopment that is going on in the country, that work is very considerable, and all the cost comes out of the price of the maps, although, as I said, it is still subsidised. Private map producers have the benefit of it and just do the reprinting. It is not the printing which is the important part.
§ Mr. HamlingWill my hon. Friend take it that we on this side have always found great satisfaction from the service given by the Ordnance Survey?