§ Sir S. Summersasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many copies of "Commonwealth Today" are 212W produced at each issue; how frequently it is published and by whom; to whom it is distributed; what advertising or other revenue is received from its publication; and what is the cost to public funds of each issue or series of issues.
Dr. Hill283,250 copies of the last issue of "Commonwealth Today" were produced and it is proposed to increase this figure to 340,000 in the new financial year. It is issued eight times a year by the Central Office of Information on behalf of the Colonial, Commonwealth Relations and Foreign Offices. Through the official Overseas Information Services it is distributed free of charge to selected groups of readers in Commonwealth, colonial and foreign countries. A small revenue of about £450 per annum is derived from yearly subscription sales. No advertising revenue is received. The cost of the last issue, No. 56, was £11,000 approximately, without allowing for subscription revenue.