HC Deb 27 January 1977 vol 924 cc740-1W
Mr. Moate

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total capital expenditure likely to be incurred in connection with the proposed change of size of the Official Report and, subsequently, other parliamentary papers, including the cost of new printing machinery, the capital cost of new buildings and site costs and all other relevant installation and removal costs.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The capital expenditure required for the Parliamentary Press is needed because the existing plant is nearing the end of its useful life. The costs likely to be incurred are as follows:

£
Official Report (Hansard) 850,000
Other Parliamentary Papers 1,250,000
Conversion of Accommodation 200,000

These figures are based on the assumption that page sizes will be standardised. If the present miscellany of sizes is retained, additional expenditure on equipment would be required of about £182,000 for Hansard and £417,000 for other Parliamentary Papers. It has also been assumed in preparing these estimates that any additional accommodation required will be rented.