§ 29. Mr. Greenwayasked the Lord Privy Seal how many (a) self-seal and (b) non self-seal envelopes were provided for use by hon. Members and others during the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenDuring the period March 1986 to February 1987, 850,000 white self-seal post-paid envelopes and 2,550,000 gummed envelopes of the equivalent type were provided for the use of right hon. and hon. Members.
§ Mr. GreenwayWill my right hon. Friend be kind enough, in his capacity as Lord Privy Seal, to move entirely to self-seal envelopes for hon. Members, bearing in mind the obnoxious taste of gummed envelopes? Alternatively, will he arrange for a more pleasant flavour of gum for the benefit of hon. Members' secretaries?
§ Mr. BiffenThis is essentially a matter for the Services Committee. I am sure that my hon. Friend's comments will be noted, and I have reason to believe that his view is more widely held.
§ Sir Alex FletcherSelf-sealing envelopes are a long-awaited innovation, but is my right hon. Friend aware that the quality is very poor and that they do not stick down? Will he have a word with the suppliers?
§ Mr. BiffenYes, the point has been noted. I gave a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle) on 8 April, at column 230 of Hansard, explaining the remedial action being taken.
§ Mr. CormackHow much do these navel-contemplating questions cost to answer? Could they not be left off the Order Paper?
§ Mr. BiffenMy mind boggles at assessing the cost of answering such questions or, indeed, the supplementary question that I have just been asked. I believe that my time is costed at rather less than other activities in the House, but I note what my hon. Friend has said.