Newcastle (Government Bookshop)

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 April 1969.

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Photo of Mr Edward Milne Mr Edward Milne , Blyth 12:00, 15 April 1969

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the difficulties being experienced in the North-East in obtaining copies of In Place of Strife and other Government publications, he will set up a branch of Her Majesty's Stationery Office in Newcastle.

Photo of Mr Dick Taverne Mr Dick Taverne , Lincoln

The possibility of opening a Government Bookshop in Newcastle has been examined several times, but there is insufficient demand for Government publications in the Newcastle area to justify the opening of a Government Bookshop, which would be required to pay its way.

Photo of Mr Edward Milne Mr Edward Milne , Blyth

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that his reply is not only a disappointing one but a wrong one? If he examines closely the situation in the North-East, he will find that there is a growing demand for Government publications which remains unsatisfied. On top of that, is he further aware that one of the leading firms in the city had to borrow a copy of In Place of Strife" from the Department of Employment and Productivity and had to return it after examining it because no other supplies were available?

Photo of Mr Dick Taverne Mr Dick Taverne , Lincoln

I am aware that for various reasons there has been a brisk demand for the document "In Place of Strife". But neither the Stationery Office nor its Newcastle agent has been aware of any difficulty in getting copies. Generally speaking, to justify a Govern ment bookshop which would pay its way, it would have to have a turnover of at least £35,000 a year, and at present demand falls short of that.

Photo of Mr Charles Doughty Mr Charles Doughty , East Surrey

In view of the difficulty in getting copies of "In Place of Strife", the hon. Gentleman may be interested to know about a better publication called "Fair Deal at Work" which can be obtained from Conservative Central Office.

Photo of Mr Dick Taverne Mr Dick Taverne , Lincoln

Yes, and I recommend that pamphlet to some of my hon. Friends who may not be aware of its full implications.

Photo of Mr Eric Heffer Mr Eric Heffer , Liverpool, Walton

That is a cheap and stupid answer.

Photo of Mr Edward Milne Mr Edward Milne , Blyth

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.