HC Deb 09 November 1987 vol 122 c60W
Mr. John David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the "Ulster Year Book" was not published in the current year; when the next publication is planned; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kilfedder

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the "Ulster Year Book" has not been published since 1985; what consultations take place in deciding the date of publication and with whom; and if he will ensure publication this year.

Dr. Mawhinney

The "Ulster Year Book" last appeared in 1985, and there are no plans for further editions.

In taking the decision to cease publication, my Department had regard to the value for money principle and to two factors in particular:

  1. (i) the substantial cost of publication, particularly in terms of staff time, which could not be justified for a publication of which only 500 copies were actually purchased when last published;
  2. (ii) the availability today, in many other forms, of the statistical and descriptive information contained in the year book; these were not available for much of the period during which it was published.