§ 62. Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the balance sheet of Messrs. Furness, Withy and Company, which states that, notwithstanding restrictions owing to Government work, £1,386,959 has been earned in a year; whether he is aware that the shareholders have obtained a multiplied dividend, and £300,000 has been placed to provide for trade contingencies, and that the profits are almost twice the largest sum hitherto recorded in a similar period; and whether, in view of the connection between earnings and the high price of foodstuffs and raw material, he will consider the advisability of appointing a small Committee of experts to consider and report on the subject of freights and consequential cost to the community?
Mr. HARCOURTThe fact3 in regard to the balance sheet of Messrs. Furness, Withy and Company are substantially as stated by my hon. Friend. The Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Member for the Tyneside Division of Northumberland are considering the increase of food prices, and will recommend whatever action they think practical and expedient.