HC Deb 19 July 1916 vol 84 c1019
65. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the balance sheet just issued by Furness, Withy and Company, showing, with £141,446 brought in, a profit for the year of £1,528,406; and can he say whether the transference of £350,000 to depreciation account and of £300,000 to the trades contingencies fund lessens the amount payable by the firm in Excess Profits Tax?

Mr. McKENNA

Liability to Excess Profits Duty is governed by statutory provisions which are not affected by any allocation of profits to reserve or otherwise which a company may see fit to make.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of getting a greater share for the Treasury of these large profits to enable the old age pensions to be raised?

Mr. McKENNA

The share we shall Deceive of these profits will amount to 77 per cent. I think it is pretty large. It does not leave a very considerable sum to be put to reserve.