§ Mr. Patrick ThompsonTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what conclusions the House of Commons Commission has reached about the future pricing of theOfficial Report following the adjournment debate on 3 April.
§ Mr. BeithI am pleased to advise the hon. Member that agreement has been reached with HMSO for a reduction in the price of theWeekly Hansard from its present level of £22 to £12. This will enable purchasers to obtain Hansard at a price equivalent to £2.40 per sitting day, while for public libraries, which can take advantage of the Government discount scheme provided for in class XVIII, vote 5 of the supply estimates, the price will be equivalent to £1.20 per sitting day. Following advice from the Administration Committee, this price reduction has been endorsed by the House of Commons Commission and will take effect when the House returns after the late spring adjournment. It has been made possible by the computerisation of production in the Department of the Official Report, and will be achieved at no additional cost to the House.
Discussions are continuing on a new, long-term agreement with HMSO for the printing and publication of the different categories of House documents. The results of these discussions are expected to be submitted to the Commission later this year. In the meantime, there will be no change in the price of the daily Hansard.