asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons or firms have now applied for the issue of a 714 certificate; how many have been refused; of those referred back for further information, how many have been considered a second time; and what is the outcome of this reconsideration.

273,236 applications had been received by 10th December, of which 22,210 had been refused. I regret that the further information requested could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the present estimates of the cost of dealing with application for, consideration of and issuing of 714 certificates.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 21st December.—[Vol. 923, c. 110.]