HC Deb 11 July 1977 vol 935 cc18-20
25. Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he is taking to speed up the printing of Select Committee reports.

The Minister of State, Civil Service Department (Mr. Charles R. Morris)

These reports are produced by the St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press and by commercial contractors. The arrangements are kept under continuous review by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Mr. Finsberg

Is the Minister aware that the Fifth and Sixth Reports of the Select Committee on Expenditure are not estimated to be published for up to 10 weeks after they were laid on the Table, and that his noble Friend in another place said at column 877 of the Official Report of 23rd June 1977 that they were expected within "two or three weeks" from a particular date—namely, the end of this week? What will the hon. Gentleman do to ensure that the House is not treated in a cavalier fashion by the printing authorities, whether they are under our control or are private contractors?

Mr. Morris

I accept the sense of frustration that the hon. Gentleman has expressed about the delay incurred in the printing of the Select Committee's reports. I hope that he and other hon. Members will appreciate that in recent years there has been an appreciable increase in the volume of Select Committee reports. During 1972 the number of pages of Select Committee reports was 7,513. By 1976 the volume had increased to 11,076. That is the extent and volume of the problem. We are seeking in a variety of different ways to deal with the problem and to reduce delays to an absolute minimum.

Mr. Roper

Does my hon. Friend accept that there is considerable feeling among hon. Members who spend a great deal of time on Select Committees preparing reports on topical subjects that we have to wait three to four months before the reports are printed? Is it not possible for an early decision to be made on new printing capacity for the House so that the delays can be considerably reduced?

Mr. Morris

I agree with my hon. Friend that we need an early decision by the House on new printing capacity for St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press. However, I hope he will accept that over recent years the printing workers at St. Stephen's Press have done a tremendous job in dealing with the increased volume of printing.

Mr. Michael Marshall

The Minister said that Her Majesty's Stationery Office has kept an overall view of these matters. In view of the industrial dispute at Her Majesty's Stationery Office, precisely what are he and his right hon. Friend doing to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion because of the problems that it is causing not only to the House but to outside authorities?

Mr. Morris

My right hon. Friend and I do everything conceivable to resolve industrial difficulties at St. Stephen's Press. [HON. MEMBERS: "Such as?"] The reports of some Select Committees and a number of other reports have gone out to private printers. At present over 30 per cent. of the Select Committee reports are printed in the private sector.

Mr. Lipton

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that we have quite enough to read already and that there is no hurry to print any more reports? In any case, is it not a fact that after the reports are printed it will be months or years before the Government do anything about them?

Mr. Morris

I cannot accept the second of my hon. Friend's thoughts, but I endorse the first.

Mr. Finsberg

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.

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