§ Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether coal-owners' profits as limited to Is. 2d. par ton means the retention of profits of 1s. 2d. by coal-owners where such profits are earned, or means an aggregation of the profits on a total tonnage and a pro rata distribution, which would result in profit of 7s. 6d. 'being reduced to 4s. 6d. per ton, Is. 2d. being reduced to 8½ d. per ton, and a profit of 6d. being reduced to 4d. perton?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe limitation of coal-owners' profits to Is. 2d. per ton does not mean the retention of profits of Is. 2d. per ton by coal-owners where such profits are earned, but that the aggregate profits of the coalmining industry should amount to Is. 2d. per ton on the aggregate output. The method of distribution among the owners will have to be laid down in future legislation.