asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many typewriting machines have been supplied to, and ordered for, Government Departments during the past year.

Six thousand, six hundred and seventy-two supplied; 3,448 ordered.

Is the Minister aware that many firms, cannot supply their orders without a delay up to two years, owing to the large numbers ordered by the newly-created Electricity Boards?

Can my right hon. Friend tell us why that some of these public authorities are now having to import typewriters from the Russian zone of Germany at prices greater than those at which we are exporting our own machines?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that down. I have answered the Question on the Order Paper.

Can the Minister say how many of these typewriters are British and how many have been imported?

Not without notice.