§ 8. Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much industrial profits have fallen in the first two months of 1962 as compared with 1961; for how long he anticipates this trend of falling profits will continue; what proposals he has for maintaining Government expenditure in view of the lower tax payments from these reduced profits without causing further inflation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeI regret that information about the level of profits in January and February, 1962, is not yet available. As to the remainder of my hon. Friend's Question, I cannot anticipate anything my right hon. Friend may say in his Budget speech.
§ Sir C. OsborneAre not these figures returned by industry month by month to the Exchequer?
§ Mr. BrookeThe Central Statistical Office publishes a quarterly series of figures for company profits based on returns to the Inland Revenue by a sample of companies. The latest figures at present available are for the third quarter of 1961.