§ 52. Mr. HANNONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of shares now held by the Government in the Hoffmann Manufacturing Company; what is their estimated realisable value; whether the accounts to the 31st December last of this company have been completed; and what is the amount of profit or loss for the year?
§ Sir R. HORNEIn reply to the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wigan on the 15th February last. It would not be in the public interest to give the estimated realisable value of the shares. The accounts of the company to 31st December last have been completed. After providing for all charges, including interest on loans made by the Ministry of Munitions and preference dividend paid, and for amounts written off, the balance to the credit of profit and loss account was reduced during the year from £207,160 to £75,053.