§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War what has been the annual cost of printing and distribution of the Cadet List for the years of compilation 1916 to 1920, respectively, including officers, pay and clerks, salaries; what was the number of copies printed each year; how many were issued free or paid for; under whose authority and instruction is the list printed and issued; whether the issue invariably takes place months after the compilation of the list and in consequence is of little use; and whether under the circumstances and in the interest of economy, he will consider the desirability of discontinuing the publication?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe information asked for regarding the cost of printing and distribution of the Cadet List is as follows:
— Number Printed. Distribution— Official Copies. Copies Sold. Cost of Printing and Paper. £ 1916 … 1,500 1,212 261 80 1917 … 1,500 1,202 131 100 1918 … 2,000 1,713 64 318 1919 … 2,125 2,010 31 379 1920 … 2,125 2,000 20 384 The compilation of the list occupies about a quarter of the working time of an ex-soldier clerk. During the War the printing and issue of the list was delayed owing to the pressure of war work 282W but the list compiled up to 31st December, 1920, is now being printed and will be issued very shortly. I am informed that the list is essential for the administration of the cadet force which now numbers 120,000 cadets.