HL Deb 23 June 1943 vol 128 cc103-4
LORD DAVIES

My Lords, I beg to ask the question which stands in my name on the Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, how many copies of the Official Reports of Parliamentary Debates arc now distributed among public libraries and other similar institutions; and whether, in view of the importance of encouraging the general public to interest themselves in Parliamentary proceedings, they will favourably consider the possibility of providing all such libraries with copies of these documents free of cost.]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT SIMON)

My Lords, daily parts of the Reports of your Lordships' House are purchased by nineteen public libraries and two public institutions. In addition, the Reports in volume form are purchased by seven libraries and six institutions, which do not obtain the daily parts. Public libraries may obtain Government publications, including the Official Report of Debates, at half price. The concession is well known and is considered a sufficient inducement to those libraries which find there is a local interest in verbatim reports of debates.

LORD DAVIES

May I ask whether it would be possible in future to offer copies of the Official Report without any payment?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I think the view that has been taken, and as far as I know is still maintained, is that the half price is a concession of which advantage is taken, as I have illustrated, and I do not think it is the view of those responsible that they would prefer to distribute the Report for nothing.

House adjourned.