§ Mr. BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many copies of theOfficial Report were printed during the 1998–99 session; at what (a) total and (b) unit cost; how many copies were sold; and what was the total revenue generated. [106976]
§ Mr. Kirkwood[holding answer 26 January 2000]: A total of 397,486 copies of the Official Report daily part, comprising 154 issues, were printed during the 1998–99 session at a total cost of £658,167. That provides a unit cost of about £1.65. Sales to Parliament were paid for by the two Houses under a bulk charge arrangement which, in addition to the cost of copies supplied, covered all aspects of the printing process. House of Commons subscribers accounted for 47,432 copies and 168,000 copies were supplied to the two Houses under the direct delivery arrangements for distribution to Members and other uses within the House. Sales to customers outside Parliament amounted to 182,054 copies, a substantial proportion of which were sold to public libraries, loca authorities and educational authorities at discounts of up to 50 per cent. off the cover price of £5. Information about the total revenue generated is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.