This is great stuff guys, in response to one of my listings of a 1973 contract pressing and my speculation about what went on at EMI in 1973 I received this mail from a guy who actually worked there at the time, not for EMI Records but for EMI MOD:-

" Hi I was just reading your explanation regarding reduced output from EMI Hayes in 1973. I worked there in 1973. As a matter of interest between record collectors / dealers etc, I just thought I would give you my opinion on it. Part of the Hayes factory was sold to the government to undertake MOD work. This was not the main factory but a smaller one in Springfield Road. This type of work actually originated from HMV (Dog and Trumpet) carrying out munitions work during world war 2. This probably had something to do with a reduction in the production in 1973. I was an 18 year old designer in the EMI MOD at this time so this is only an informed guess. Enjoy your music Richard Lyddon "

It's not definative but it is interesting eh!