asked the Minister of Health which drugs he has contracted to purchase centrally; from whom and at what prices; how the prices compare with those previously paid for similar drugs manufactured in Great Britain; whether royalty payments have yet been agreed with patent-holders; and what annual savings he estimates will accrue.

Tetratcycline, chloramphenicol, chlorothiazide, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline. It is not customary to disclose the firms to whom, or the prices at which, Government contracts are let, but the total saving, before payment of royalties, is estimated at about £½ million.