Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller whether he will state the profits of the Oils and Fats Department of the Ministry for the three months ending March, June, September, and December, 1918, respectively?
Mr. ROBERTSI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 14th November, 1918, to a question put230W by him as to the profits made by the Oil and Fats Division of the Ministry of Food during the first three months of 1918. These profits can only be stated at any given date if a correct valuation of stocks has then been taken. As no formal stock-taking was made at the other dates mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member I regret that I cannot provide the additional information required; complete accounts will, however, be prepared as at 31st March, 1919, which will show the exact results of the trading operations of this Division of the Ministry during the previous twelve months. I hope to have ready a provisional summary of the trading of the Ministry immediately after the Whitsuntide recess.