Stationery Office

Stationery Office, an office in London established by the Lords of the Treasury in 1786, for the purpose of providing for the supply of books, stationery, &c. for the government offices at home and abroad. Its main function, however, is in making contracts for the printing of all reports and other matters laid before the House of Commons. The duties are performed by a controller and assistant-controller, a storekeeper, and about thirty clerks or other subordinate officers. There is a branch establishment in Dublin. The Lords of the Treasury make the principal appointments, but clerkships are open to competitive examination.