HC Deb 15 July 1943 vol 391 cc347-8
20. Mr. Thorne

asked the Home Secretary the profits of the State management houses in the districts of Carlisle, Gretna and Cromarty for the years 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41 and 1942; and when the Report for 1942 will be published?

Mr. H. Morrison

I will circulate the figures for the years 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41 and 1941–42 in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Profits for the year 1942–43 cannot yet be given, as the accounts of that year have not yet been audited. It is hoped to publish the Annual Report for 1942–43 in the autumn.

Mr. Thorne

Have the Government considered the advisability of taking over breweries in London and other large areas?

Mr. Morrison

No, not at the moment.

Following are the figures:

The net profits of the State Management Districts for the years 1938–39 to 1941–42 were as follow:

Carlisle Gretna Cromarty Firth
£ £ £
1938–39 … 70,018 3,400 6,540
1939–40 … 101,897 3,800 12,148
1940–41 … 147,434 5,260 15,324
1941–42 … 176,371 10,359 20,983

I ought, however, to give the following extract from the Annual Report for 1941–42, which shows how these profits have been arrived at: Before arriving at these profits there have been deducted, as in previous years, the cost of alterations and improvements estimated as not adding to the capital value of the properties and all ordinary recurrent charges, including licence and other duties, Income Tax—Schedule A, rates, headquarters and local administrative expenses, cost of architectural staff, depreciation of fixed and loose plant, furnishings and utensils and insurance. In respect of the liability accruing under the War Damage Act, 1941, for which no provision was made last year, an amount equivalent to three-fifths of the total of the contributions under Part I of the Act, and to the total of the premiums accrued to 31st March, 1942, under Part II of the Act, has been written off out of profits. As in former years, no provision is made in the Accounts for the taxes assessed on profits, Income Tax—Schedule D, National Defence Contribution and Excess Profits Tax.