§ Lord Aberdareasked the leader of the House:
Whether any change is proposed in the price of Hansard.
The Lord Privy Seal (Viscount Cranborne)Agreement has been reached with HMSO for a reduction in the price of the weeklyHansard from its present level of £9 to £5. This will enable purchasers to obtain Hansard at a price equivalent to £1.25 per sitting day, while for public libraries, which can take advantage of the government discount scheme provided for in Class XVIII, Vote 5 of the Supply Estimates, the price will be equivalent to 63p per sitting day. This price reduction will take effect when the House returns after the Whitsun Recess.
Discussions are continuing on a new, long-term agreement with HMSO for the printing and publication of the different categories of House documents. The price of the daily Hansard will be considered in the light of these discussions.