HC Deb 26 May 1977 vol 932 cc532-3W
Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister for the Civil Service on how many occasions over the last two years there has been an industrial dispute at St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press; how many days were lost; and what on average was the amount of pay lost per printer.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Over the last two years there have been four industrial disputes at St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press, including the most recent one. Total man days lost was 1,830 with an average pay lost per printer of £127.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total number of people employed in the printing of the Official Report and other parliamentary papers; and how many of them are members of a trade union.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The total number of industrial staff employed in HMSO on the printing of theOfficial Report and other parliamentary papers is 599, all of whom are trade union members.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what efforts have been made to find alternative printers of the Official Report.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

There has been no occasion to consider alternative printers of theOfficial Report because the St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press exists to produce parliamentary printing.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Minister for the Civil Service on how many occasions the Official Report has not been printed in 1975, 1976 and to the latest available date in 1977.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

There were 11 such occasions in 1975, six in 1976 and 10 to date in 1977. Outstanding issues will be produced as soon as production capacity is available.