HC Deb 30 March 1971 vol 814 cc1332-3
4. Mr. Milne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the retail sales of Her Majesty's Stationery Office's publications made in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during each of the last five years; and if he will now consider opening a retail branch of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Government bookshop in Newcastle similar to Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and other centres.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will with permission circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The question of establishing a Government bookshop in Newcastle has been examined several times, but the volume of business in the area is insufficient to enable an official bookshop to pay its way.

Mr. Milne

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that while the agencies providing Government publications in Newcastle are doing a good job they are inadequate to meet the needs of a growing area? If the Government's regional policy means anything at all, should not Newcastle be brought into line with the rest of the country? Will he do something about it?

Mr. Jenkin

I am grateful for the tribute the hon. Member has paid to those bookshops which handle Government publications. I must tell the hon. Member that the volume of turnover in the City of Newcastle was less than half the figure that we would require as being the minimum to support an independent Government bookshop.

Mr. MacArthur

Will my hon. Friend say whether it is true that sales of the White Paper "In Place of Strife" were among the 10 best sellers of Her Majesty's Stationery Office? Will he further consider making a full refund to those who paid for that publication under the deluded impression that the then Government would do something about it and fulfil their pledges?

Mr. Jenkin

I can confirm that "In Place of Strife" came ninth in the top ten for 1969–70. I can only tell my hon. Friend that I think the electorate satisfactorily repaid themselves on 18th June.

Following is the information:

Sales to trade and retail account holding customers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during each of the last five years were:
£
1966–67 18,800
1967–68 19,700
1968–69 21,500
1969–70 29,200
1970–71(estimated) 23,500