asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average annual dollar cost to the United Kingdom of licences for the manufacture of penicillin in Great Britain.

I regret we have no figures, either on the basis of Exchange Control authorisations or of actual remittances to the United States, which distinguish payments by United Kingdom manufacturers for licences for the production of penicillin in Great Britain.

Is it not anomalous that there should be any form of commercial tribute of this kind to the United States in respect of a product which derives entirely from British research? Does the hon. Gentleman not think that he ought to make some effort to collect these important figures?

One must remember that the United States made a considerable contribution in the development of the process, and it is largely in connection with the United States development that royalties are quite properly paid.