§ Sir Derek Walker-Smithasked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the date of publication of, and period covered by, the last volume to be issued of the general index of the Official Report; what is the expected timetable for future publications; and what steps, if any, are being taken for the acceleration of the issue of these indexes.
§ Mr. ChannonThe last Sessional Index of theOfficial Report to be published was Volume 956 on 5 February 1980. It covered the period November 1977 to October 1978. Volume 966 is currently in production and covers the Session November 1978 to April 1979. It is expected that galley proofs will be placed in the Library during May with publication expected during October 1980.
The shortage of staff at the St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press continues to be the governing factor; additionally, the high level of parliamentary work precludes a faster timetable for the production of indexes. Discussions are currently being held between the Editor of Hansard and representatives of HMSO to review the whole position.