HC Deb 29 March 1976 vol 908 cc330-1W
Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will ensure that Her Majesty's Stationery Office will under no circumstances print Order Papers or other documents relating to business which has already been completed and for which working documents have been duplicated by other means because of industrial disputes.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

No. Many parliamentary documents are required for public distribution and must be printed for that purpose even if the immediate requirements of the House have been met temporarily by other means.

Mr. Adley

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what has been the total cost involved, since 1st March 1974, of making all the alternative arrangements for the printing of parliamentary papers due to industrial dispute; how many separate disputes there have been; and on how many days the various disputes have deprived hon. Members of all or any papers.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

There have been four occasions since 1st March 1974 when it has been necessary to make alternative arrangements for the supply of parliamentary papers due to industrial action. Because of these disputes there were 53 days out of 360 on which papers were not supplied in their normal form. The total cost of supplying papers in an alternative form was £98,000.