asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give the consumption and cost of paper used by the Stationery Office during the first six months of last year; and the estimated consumption and cost during the corresponding period this year.

Following is the answer:

	Tons	Cost
April-September, 1950 (actual consumption)	22,769	£1,747,505
April-September, 1951 (estimated consumption)	22,750	£3,445,000

Accurate figures for the period January to June are not available as the Stationery Office records are based on the financial year. For the financial year as a whole, estimated consumption will show a larger proportionate drop compared with the previous year.