§ 30. Mr. Fallonasked the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the annual cost to public funds of producing the House of Commons Weekly Information Bulletin; and what proportion of copies are sold at cover price.
§ Mr. BeithThe cost borne on the Vote for which the Commission is responsible is about £8,000 per annum, comprising staff costs in the Library's Public Information Office. Much of the material in the Weekly Information Bulletin is, however, also required for the other work of that Office, so the amount cannot be regarded as wholly attributable to the Bulletin. Printing and publishing of the Bulletin are matters for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, but I understand that costs are fully recovered by sales. I further understand that approximately 28 per cent. of the print run of the Bulletin goes to hon. Members and House of Commons Offices and about 72 per cent. is sold elsewhere.
§ Mr. FallonIn view of the ever-rising cost of running the House, will the Commission re-examine the cost of producing the Bulletin, especially in view of the existence of a lively and efficient private sector alternative?
§ Mr. BeithI assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to The House Magazine, which provides a useful but a different service from that provided by way of public information in the Bulletin. The costs arising directly from the Bulletin are met from sales. Therefore, it does not fall to the Commission to find substantial funds for its production. The public information that is assembled and placed in the Bulletin has to be collected by the Public Information Office in any event to be made available to the public generally.