The Chancellor of the Exchequer on Tuesday moved for a
Committee to examine the whole question of Parliamentary Re- porting, which was, of course, granted. He seemed to think that discontented Members wanted impossibilities,—namely, full re- porting, quick reporting, and accurate reporting all at once, and quite forgot that Parliament formerly enjoyed all these advantages. The newspapers could and would secure all these things, if the necessary organisation paid them, but it does not, because they
want the space for profitable advertisements. The reports are therefore whittled away to nothing, and the influence of Parlia- ment sensibly declines. What is wanted is not a new "Hansard," but a " Parliamentary Reporter," with full reports, and nothing else, clearly printed, and sold everywhere for a penny. That is. quite obtainable, if the House will give two reporters good seats, and guarantee the publishers against loss. There is no need for the House to do the work itself, or to increase its staff of highly.- paid officials. Let the London Gazette people do it.
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