HC Deb 17 July 1979 vol 970 cc425-6W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on how many days in the present Parliament the Official Report, the Vote and the day's parliamentary questions have been printed and delivered on time; on how many days they have not; and whether he will consult the authorities in another place where service of papers has not been similarly interrupted.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

During the present Parliament theOfficial Report has been delivered on time to Members in its printed form on 18 occasions. Since 18 June copies have been available in an alternative form on 19 days, up to and including 12 July.

The Vote Bundle (which includes Parliamentary Questions) has been delivered on time to Members in its printed form on 19 occasions. Since 19 June it has been available in an alternative form on 18 days, up to and including 12 July.

In another place the daily working papers have been subjected to similar interruptions, with the exception of the Official Report, which is much smaller and is not produced by St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press.

Mr. Steen

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the additional weekly cost to public funds of producing papers for the House of Commons in temporary form during the current strike of the overseers at St. Stephen's Press, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, who are members of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants; and if he will make a statement as to numbers of extra part- and full-time staff employed as a direct result.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The scale of the arrangements made by the authorities of the House for producing parliamentary papers during the current interruption of normal supply vary very considerably each day in accordance with the requirements of the House. The average weekly cost is, however, between £10,000 and 15,000.