HC Deb 17 December 1969 vol 793 cc1348-51

Mr. Maudling (by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make a statement about the dispute in H.M.S.O. which is holding up the supply of Parliamentary Papers.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Diamond)

I regret that there are delays in the supply of certain papers due to a minor dispute on overtime in the Parliamentary Press. Every effort is being made to resolve this dispute and to avoid inconvenience to hon. Members.

Mr. Maudling

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very depressing that this should happen all over again? Is there not one specially important feature on this occasion? Am I right in saying that HANSARD for yesterday is not available? Will not the debate beginning today in another place be prejudiced thereby?

Mr. Diamond

It is not happening "all over again", and I am sorry that the right hon. Gentleman uses such exaggerated language. Nor is it the case that in another place a debate will start without an adequate number of copies of HANSARD. HANSARD is being printed. So far, 150 copies have been delivered. In fact, 100 were delivered at 3 o'clock. By half-past four, 400 copies will have been delivered to the House of Commons.

I agree that this represents some inconvenience, but, to put the matter in context, I would add that there has been a great deal of pressure of parliamentary printing. There has been the problem of catching up and getting up to date. I am grateful to all concerned at all levels, both management and men, for their efforts.

Mr. Shinwell

There have been disputes of various kinds when the Government have instituted committees of inquiry into the nature of the disputes with a view to mediation. Has that been done in this dispute and, if not, why not?

Mr. Diamond

No, it has not been done in connection with this dispute. This is a very minor dispute about—[Interruption.] It has nothing to do with the matters raised a month ago. I am sorry that hon. Gentlemen opposite are trying to create greater difficulties than exist. This is a minor dispute arising out of the amount of time that free individuals are being asked to put in by way of overtime. I would have thought that it was a matter for consideration. It is obviously for the convenience of the House that the necessary overtime should be put in to enable hon. Members to avoid any inconvenience. That is what I am trying to achieve.

Mr. Turton

Although this is a minor dispute, it is a major contribution to the inefficiency of the House. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the time has not come when a private enterprise firm should be offered the job of printing our papers?

Mr. Diamond

Full consideration has been given to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question.

With great respect to the Father of the House, may I say that I am not aware of the very great difficulties which he indicated in the first part of his question? I do not know to what he is referring.

Sir R. Cary

The last dispute a month ago was a matter of the greatest inconvenience to Parliament. Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that the dispute which arose last night is completely unrelated to that which took place before?

Mr. Diamond

The answer is, Yes, Sir.

Mr. Lubbock

Without entering into the merits of the dispute and bearing in mind what the right hon. Gentleman said about the present one being unrelated to the stoppage which took place a month ago, do not the two together indicate that he should make alternative arrangements to ensure that the work of Parliament is not disrupted whenever these disputes occur, for whatever reason?

Mr. Diamond

They indicate that a wise Government would take all necessary steps. I think that I belong to a very wise Government.

Mr. W. H. K. Baker

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this shortage is not exclusive to HANSARD, but also affects the reports of Standing Committee proceedings? Can he say when copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT of yesterday's Agriculture Standing Committee will be available to hon. Members?

Mr. Diamond

The papers needed for the Standing Committee have been provided.

Mr. MacDermot

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who have some knowledge of the difficulties with which the Stationery Office has had to contend over a period of 10 or more years —difficulties of which the right hon. Member for Barnet (Mr. Maudling) is well aware—will consider that this occasion perhaps calls for some degree of forbearance on the part of the House?

Mr. Diamond

I am grateful to my hon. and learned Friend, who speaks with great knowledge and authority on these matters.

Several Hon. Members rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Cledwyn Hughes. Statement.