§ 42. Mr. POTTSasked the Secretary for Mines whether any deduction is made in the proceeds for coal in the coal trade industry to meet the cost of coal agencies; and, if so, can he state the amount deducted for the year 1931?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI understand the practice to be that selling expenses, including sales agency commissions, are not included in the costs of production in the ascertainment statement, but are 1770 deducted from the gross proceeds of sale in arriving at the figure of proceeds to be used in the ascertainment. I am not aware of the amounts so deducted, as the figures are confidential to the accountants and are not shown in their reports. As my hon. Friend is aware, the procedure followed in connection with wages ascertainments is the subject of agreements between the parties concerned.
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am afraid that I cannot help my hon. Friend, because these returns are confidential.