§ 43. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Health if he will estimate the average net profits made by chemists in the year ended 31st March, 1950, out of the average earnings per pharmacy of £2,244.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopMy right hon. Friend cannot estimate the net profits. But about £1,153 of the £2,244 was paid in respect of the cost of drugs and containers, leaving £1,091, which includes the appropriate proportion of business overheads and wages.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some newspapers quoted this figure of £2,244, which was based on a statement by his Department to the Committee on Public Accounts, as if it were net profits? Would it not be better if, in future, his Department used the expression "gross receipts" instead of "earnings"?
§ Mr. BlenkinsopI appreciate the fact that there has been a misinterpretation of the figures submitted to this Committee and I am grateful for this opportunity to rectify it.