HC Deb 26 July 1909 vol 8 cc981-3W
Mr. NANNETTI

asked whether all the colour printing for the various Irish Public Departments, as well as the coloured one-inch map issued by the Irish Department of the Ordnance Survey, is printed at Southampton, and all the four-mile and two-mile maps are also printed in Southampton; whether the projected one-inch coloured large-sheet series, which includes an expenditure of several thousand pounds per annum on the work, is also in contemplation to be sent to the same place; and whether he can see his way to have this work executed in Ireland, where there is dearth of employment at present?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The colour printing required for the various Irish Departments is carried out at Southampton, as it can be more economically done there than at Dublin. The coloured editions of the one-inch and four-mile maps are also printed at Southampton, where it is also proposed to print the large-sheet series of the one-inch map. The two-mile map of Ireland is not yet prepared. I may add that the Board are bound to have reasonable regard to the question of expense, and that it would not be practicable to provide for the duplication of staff and machinery for all classes of work without considerably increased expenditure. But they are in entire agreement with the hon. Member in the view that the work connected with the preparation of the Irish maps should be done in Ireland to the fullest extent possible.

Mr. NANNETTI

asked whether a sum of £18,000 per annum is spent at Southampton and is charged to the Vote for Irish Survey; whether this work could be more economically executed in Ireland; whether he is aware that this work is of a purely Irish character, and that £12,000 out of it is charged for superintendence, etc., at headquarters; and whether he is aware that if the work was done in Ireland, as originally, this sum could be saved to the Department?

Sir E. STRACHEY

There is no separate Vote for the Irish Survey. It is estimated that the expense chargeable for work done at Southampton and for administrative charges on account of Irish services was from £15,000 to £16,000, but of this from £4,000 to £5,000 only, and not £12,000, was on account of administrative charges for the whole of the expenditure for Ireland. No work is done at Southampton unless it can be better or more economically done there than in Ireland, and any transfer of duties such as is suggested would lead to an increase and not to a diminution of cost.

Mr. NANNETTI

asked whether the printing machine which was purposely erected in Dublin to execute the work of the Irish Survey has been transferred to Southampton, although this machine was bought and fitted up at large cost to the Irish Vote; whether the excuse given for its removal at the time was that there was a scarcity of work; and whether, now that there is a sufficient amount of work in Dublin to keep it fully employed, it can be sent back to Dublin, and thus print the work properly belonging to the Irish Survey of Ireland?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The cost of the purchase and erection of the printing machine, to which the hon. Member perhaps refers, was charged to the Vote for the Surveys of the United Kingdom and not to any Irish Vote. It was transferred from Dublin to Southampton in 1905 as there was not sufficient work at Dublin to keep it constantly employed. This reason still holds good, and its re-transfer would conduce neither to economy nor efficiency.