§ 54. Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the printing works in Hare Street are still being run at a loss?
Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir. The accounts for 1923–24, which are subject to audit, show a profit of over £6,000.
§ Mr. HANNONIs this the first time these interesting works have shown a profit?
§ 55. Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Foreign Office Press is still being credited 1123 for the purposes of its trading accounts as if its sales took place at prices which prevailed in 1918?
Mr. GRAHAMThe work executed at the Foreign Office Press is priced out at rates specified in a contract which came into force in 1909, subject, however, to the adjustments which have been made from time to time in accordance with variations in wages. Such adjustments were made before the Stationery Office took over the direct management of the Press in November, 1918, and have been made since, and bear no relationship to that date or to the question of management, since they are equally applicable to contracts in private hands. I may mention that prices in the printing trade are still generally above the 1918 level.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Gentleman commend these interesting experiments in State trading to his Friends behind him?