§ Mr. Coeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made with the History of Parliament; and whether he will make a statement on the future of the History of Parliament Trust.
§ Mr. DiamondThe object of the History of Parliament Trust is to prepare and publish an authoritative history containing biographical studies of Members of Parliament from the 13th Century. In 1951, with the agreement of all Parties, Exchequer assistance was promised up to a total of £300,000 over 20 years, plus £40,000 towards the cost of publication. Another £20,000 was added in 1959.
It has become apparent that the work could not be completed by 1971. The Treasury and the Trustees, whose Chairman is my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. Carol Johnson), have reviewed the position, and agreed that the Trust should concentrate on a programme covering the years 1377–1422, and 1509–1820. It has been agreed that the Trust may have the use of the amount provided towards publication costs, which has not been spent, as well as the balance of the editorial grants of £320,000. A further review of the work of the Trust will take place before 1970 in order to reach decisions about the programme in the years after 1970. The Board of 241W Trustees and the Editorial Board are being reorganised. Details of these changes and of progress of work under the Trust direction are given in the annual report for 1966–67, copies of which are in the Libraries of both Houses.