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Parliamentary Debates (Official Report)

Volume 159: debated on Thursday 30 November 1922

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51.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a reduction in the present high price of the daily OFFICIAL REPORT of Parliamentary Debates?

55.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the high price of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates and the unprecedented depression in salaries and wages and the increasing interest taken in politics by the people, he will consider the advisability of reducing the price of this publication to a level within the reach of the average household?

As has been stated on previous occasions, the present price of 1s. a copy is still below the average cost of printing and publishing, and contains no allowance for the fact that a large proportion of the copies printed are supplied gratuitously for official purposes. In the present financial position, I hesitate to increase the charge upon the taxpayer in respect of this publication, but the matter will be kept under review, and if at any time the reduced costs of production or the prospects of increased sales appear to justify a reduction in price, I shall be only too glad to authorise it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say where the OFFICIAL REPORT is printed?

Will the right hon. Gentleman think of raising the price of this production, and so reducing the amount paid by the taxpayers?

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter, in view of the increased interest now taken in the Debates in this House?