asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total net assets, in 1954 and 1960, of the companies, other than public corporations, whose balance sheets are summarised by the Board of Trade; by how much trading profits of this group rose during the period, absolutely and as a percentage; and by how much the gross dividend and interest payments of this group rose during the period, absolutely and as a percentage.

I have been asked to reply.Following are the provisional figures. The final figures will appear, together with a descriptive article, in "Economic Trends" next month:to be able to make the regulations shortly.