§ Sir Ralph HowellTo ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 513, for what reason the original HMSO estimate for the printing and publishing costs of the December 1992 Register of Members' Interests, HC 325 of 1992–93 was incorrect; by what percentage the revised figure differs from the previous estimate; what is the basis for those estimated costs and their revision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to Her Majesty's Stationery Office under its chief executive. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member direct.
Letter from Mr. P. Freeman to Sir Ralph Howell, dated 19 April 1994: 525W
As you are aware, your Parliamentary Question to the Lord President of the Council, about the HMSO estimates for the printing and publishing costs of the December 1992 Register of Members' Interests has been referred to me for reply.Regrettably, the cause for the error in the costs quoted in the Register was a calculation mistake which occurred within HMSO. In order to prevent any repetition, our verification procedure has been strengthened.The revised cost estimate is 150 per cent. of the former incorrect figure. The production costs of preparation, pre-press, printing, finishing, packing and distribution provide the principle basis for HMSO cost estimates; publishing costs are normally calculated as a percentage addition.Please let me know if I can help further.