HC Deb 09 August 1966 vol 733 c1384
32. Mr. Grant

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the National Plan have been printed: how many have been distributed; what is the total cost thereof; how many copies remain undistributed; and whether he proposes to print any more.

Mr. Callaghan

25,000 copies of the Plan were printed at a cost of £13,250. Of these, 3,843 are still in stock.

Mr. Grant

What is to happen to the copies which are undistributed? Will they be destroyed, or will they be enshrined as an awful warning to future Governments? When the amendments are to be made, will the right hon. Gentleman urge whoever is responsible for the D.E.A. at that time that he should be a little more cautious and modest than the present incumbent?

Mr. Callaghan

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman and the House will be glad to know that a profit has been made on the sales of the Plan. As for the balance, I could send the copies to hon. Members opposite so that they could read during the Recess those sections which deal with the deep-seated origin, during the last thirteen years, of the balance of payments deficit.

Sir C. Osborne

Did the £13,000 cost merely mean the printing costs, or did it include the amount it cost to compile the Plan? Could the Chancellor tell us how much loss has resulted if all the costs are included?

Mr. Callaghan

No, not without notice.

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