§ Mr. PRETYMANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what London printing businesses were acquired during the War by His Majesty's Stationery Office by means of order; under what powers were these businesses acquired; what sums were paid for these businesses; and to what uses are these businesses now being put?
§ Sir J. BAIRDHis Majesty's Stationery Office acquired the business of Hayman, Christy and Lilly, Ltd., Farringdon Road (at that time in the hands of a Receiver) on the 20th April, 1918, and the printing press of Harrison & Sons, Ltd., at the Foreign Office on the 8th November, 1918. These requisitions were made under Regulation 8EE of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, the provisions of the Regulations mentioned in Regulation 8EE being applied to the Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office by Treasury Order, dated 1st March, 1918 (Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 242 of 1918). The amounts paid for the two businesses were £15,970 8s. and £36,104 12s. 5d. respectively. With regard to the last part of the question, the business acquired from Hayman, Christy and Lilly, Ltd., has now been closed down, and the plant and machinery has been transferred to other printing presses under the control of the Stationery Office. The Foreign Office Printing Press is still maintained for the execution of confidential printing.