asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the average annual expenditure on securing the sale of Parliamentary and official publications by His Majesty's Stationery Office; and what sum is received from the sale of such publications?

The expenditure in connection with sales offices of H.M. Stationery Office during the year ending the 31st March, 1928, as shown on page 112 of House of Commons Paper No. 32 of 1929, was £24,308 5s. 4d. In addition £1,100 a year is spent on publicity by advertisements in the Press, and about £1,200 in circularising classes of potential purchasers of Government publications. The average total sum received by the Stationery Office from the sale of Government publications during the three years ending 31st March, 1928, was £207,318 a year.

Can the Financial Secretary tell me whether the balance of the amount has been spent in rent and wages?

I cannot say off-hand, but, if the hon. Member will put a question down, I will try to give him a reply.

Is the last figure quoted by the hon. Gentleman the total amount received? If so, can have inform the House as to the approximate net profit on the annual sale?

Not without notice.