§ 2.47 p.m.
§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question 632 which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask the Leader of the House whether he considers satisfactory the postal arrangements which frequently result in copies of the Minutes of Proceedings and Order Paper being delivered to Members of the House of Lords 24 hours late.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, the postal arrangements for the Minutes of Proceedings and Order Paper provide for delivery by first post to Members of the House of Lords residing in the central areas of London. Unfortunately, these arrangements have on a number of occasions in the recent past been frustrated by production difficulties within Her Majesty's Stationery Office; but every effort is made by the management of the department to obviate these. Should any Members suffer consistent delays in delivery arising from the postal arrangements, I am sure that the Post Office will be very ready to investigate the matter.
§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply and taking up particularly his point that these delays are due to production difficulties in the Stationery Office, may I ask whether he is aware that, for example, the weekly information bulletin which I have in my hand was posted on 10th March, a Saturday, but not delivered until Tuesday, 13th March? One can give example after example of such instances. May I ask whether he is also aware that, whoever are the gremlins at work obstructing the delivery of these papers, they seem to be entirely impartial because the problem affects Members in all parts of the House?
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, I am aware of it. Let us agree that I shall continue to look into the matter and certainly report on it.
§ Lord NUGENT of GUILDFORDMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that, as one of the sufferers who has made a good many complaints, I have had my problems looked into and I have received a very large measure of satisfaction? The deliveries are now very much better due to the efforts of the Printed Paper Office, and to some extent the Post Office as well.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, I am glad about that. I am also glad that the noble Lord. Lord Boyd-Carpenter, raised this question last week. He was worried about Hansard, et cetera. I have arranged for a Xerox copy of Hansard to be placed in the Library every day so that Peers who have not received a copy in the morning delivery can consult it. I shall watch the situation carefully; it applies not only to this House but to another place as well.