HC Deb 27 November 1978 vol 959 c27W
Mr. Brooke

asked the Attorney-General what was the estimated cost of providing microfilming, photocopying and xerographic services by the Public Record Office in the last accounting year; what proportion of the costs was attributable to copying for internal or governmental purposes; how many copies were made, distinguishing between those sold to the public and those not so sold; and what was the revenue received from the public for copying services.

Mr. Arthur Davidson:

As this Question raises a number of matters of detail, my noble Friend will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Brooke

asked the Attorney-General what was the basis of the costings of the copying charges levied on the public; specifically, what elements of notional rent (area and rate per square foot), equipment charges (capital depreciation, leasing and rental charges), labour costs (annual number of man hours and rate per hour) and other costs have been included in the cost of providing a copying service to the public; how much of the above elements have been attributed to the costs of providing a xerographic copying service of documents measuring not more than 9 by 14 inches; what was the estimated total cost of this service and how many such copies were sold to the public; what was the resulting cost per copy; and how it compares with the charge of 15p per copy levied on the public, and with the normal central London commercial xerographic copying charge of 5p to 6p per copy.

Mr. Arthur Davidson:

As this Question raises a number of matters of detail, my noble Friend will write to the hon. Member.