HC Deb 31 October 1945 vol 415 cc585-6W
Mr. Naylor

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the present arrangements with the King's Printer for the printing and publishing of Acts of Parliament and other State publications, including Bibles and Prayer Books; whether such contracts are subject to tender or estimates of any kind; and whether the arrangements with the King's Printer preclude H.M.S.O. from undertaking these contracts.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The Controller of the Stationery Office is by Letters Patent also the King's Printer of Acts of Parliament and the holder of Crown copyright, so that the question cannot arise except as to Bibles and Prayer Books. The prerogative right of printing the authorised version of the Bible and Prayer Book is held by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and Messrs. Eyre and Spottiswoode, and such copies of the Bible and Prayer Book as the Stationery Office requires for the Public Service are a matter of arrangement between that Department and the holders of the prerogative right.