10. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the average profit per ton on coal for the quarter ending September, 1918, was 3s. 6.7d.; whether he will say how much of this sum was retained for the nation by way of excess profit; whether this average profit was obtained by a profit on export sales of 10s. 0.38d. per ton, and on inland sales of 1s. 6.57d. per ton; whether it is expected that the profit on export sales will remain at the present figure; and, if not, will he estimate the further cost to the taxpayer in the running of the coal industry under Government control for the current financial year?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe figures given by the hon. and gallant Member are, I believe, correct. I am afraid I cannot say how much of the profit on coal for the quarter ended September, 1918, was retained by the State as excess profit, nor can I forecast the trend of prices during the current year.