Colonel BURNasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the public have to pay 1s. per copy for the OFFICIAL REPORT of the proceedings of the House of Commons; and if he will consider the reduction of this charge?
Mr. YOUNGThe price of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates of the House of Commons was raised to 1s. from the 14th December last. The Reports had previously been sold at a considerable loss, and in view of the need for economy it was decided to raise the price so as to bring it nearer to the cost of production. A reduction in price can only be considered when production costs have fallen substantially.
§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the large increase in the price of the OFFICIAL REPORT precludes the working classes and small labour clubs from purchasing it; if he will state the reason of the increase; and whether he proposes to take any action to reduce the same?
Mr. YOUNGIn reply to the first part of the question, I am advised that it is too soon to estimate the permanent effect on sales to the public of the recent increase in the price of the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day on the same subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay (Colonel Burn).