HC Deb 07 March 1910 vol 14 cc1273-4W
Mr. HENRY WALKER

asked the President of the Local Government Board, with reference to his statement that certain changes in the administration of the Poor Law resulting from the recommendations of the recent Royal Commission have been made, or are in contemplation, whether he will give a summary of such actual or contemplated changes?

Mr. BURNS

I hope to have an opportunity before long of indicating to the House what action I am taking in regard to the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

Mr. HENRY WALKER

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many copies have been sold to the public of the Reports of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress in the original folio edition, of the Majority Report in octavo form, of the Minority Report in octavo form, of the Report on Scotland, and of the Report on Ireland; and whether the result of the experiment of publishing in octavo form is such as to warrant other Reports being issued in this convenient form?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The figures asked for are as follows:—

Copies Printed. Copies Sold.
(Cd. 4499) Report for England and Wales, Majority and Minority Reports in I volume—folio 10,000 … 6,820
Octavo Reprint of the above—Volume I. Majority Report, part of 6,000 … 1,230
Volume II. Majority Report, completion 6,000 … 1,310
Volume III. Minority Report 6,000 … 1,630
(Cd.4922) Report for Scotland—folio 5,000 … 1,790
(Cd. 4630) Report for Ireland—folio 5,000 … 450
In reply to the last part of the question, it seems doubtful whether the cost of reprinting the Reports in octavo form has been justified.