asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why His Majesty's Stationery Office trading accounts contain no charge for depreciation of equipment; and how much would this involve if normal commercial standards were adopted.

The trading accounts of His Majesty's Stationery Office have always contained a charge for depreciation of equipment. It was decided last year to follow the same practice in the informal accounts of the publishing service: the charge for depreciation to be included will be about £200.

Is the Minister aware that this criticism was made by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his Report? Does he agree with the Chancellor's earlier reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) that the Auditor General's Reports are wasteful, useless and unconstitutional if they are reprinted?

No, Sir, I do not agree with that implication.