Topic summary
HMSO
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Office of Public Sector Information.
History
HMSO was established as a new department of HM Treasury on 5 April 1786, when John Mayor was appointed as its first superintendent. The creation of the office was a result of the advocacy of Edmund Burke for reforms of the corrupt, expensive and inefficient Royal Household and the Civil Service. Before the establishment of HMSO, the Crown would grant patents (exclusive rights) for the supply of stationery; the patentee could buy these supplies cheaply and then charge highly inflated prices.