HC Deb 25 June 1973 vol 858 cc1134-5
42. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in the light of the inefficiencies and delays now apparent in the Parliamentary Printing Office, he will consider making alternative arrangements.

Mr. Prior

I very much regret the difficulties which hon. Members are experiencing as a result of the industrial dispute at St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press. Emergency arrangements are now in hand which will provide Parliament with essential working papers.

Mr. King

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we have now had no proper or reliable printing since 12th June, nearly a fortnight ago, and that that constitutes a great inconvenience? Has the Services Committee considered the matter? Will my right hon. Friend tell us the nature of the dispute, what efforts are being made to end it, and what hope there is of ending it? If I may say so with courtesy, could the Government take the matter a little more seriously?

Mr. Prior

I can promise my hon. Friend that there is no question of not taking it seriously. We certainly do take the matter seriously. What I have been endeavouring to do, with the co-operation of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department, is to see that all essential papers are provided. Following my hon. Friend's statement last Thursday and the comments of right hon. and hon. Members, we have tried to bring about some improvement, particularly over the whole question of HANSARD, which I think will be welcomed by hon. Members. The dispute is a straightforward pay dispute. Negotiations are still going on. I can add nothing further to what my hon. Friend said on Thursday.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

We are not getting all essential papers. Has my hon. Friend heard of the difficulty experienced by the Committee of the whole House on the Northern Ireland Constitution Bill, in that what was said by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on Second Reading was not available to the Committee in any form? Will my right hon. Friend ensure that by Report a complete record of all the proceedings on this important constitutional Bill is available?

Mr. Prior

I can give my hon. Friend an assurance that the Committee stage reports will be available before the Report stage is taken in the House. They will have to be produced in typed form, but they will certainly be available. I am trying to ensure that the same procedure is carried out where other Bills are in Committee now and a Report stage is coming along, so that those reports are available in good time as well.