asked the Minister of Food if he will enumerate all the items of food on which his Department make a profit; and indicate the total and the amount per pound or per tin.

The following table gives the information:

Commodity	Estimated total profit in year to 31st March, 1949	unit	Estimated average United Profit
	£'000		d.
Canned fish	2,466	tin	4·2
Canned fruit	652	tin	3·4
Edible pulses	317	lb.	1·0
Dried fruit	400	lb.	0·3
Edible nuts	544	lb.	2·9
Fresh fruit and fruit pulp.	4,400	lb.	0·7
Fancy cheese	150	lb.	2·0
Refined oils and fats (other than for domestic use).	2,896	lb.	2·7
Rice	350	lb.	0·02
Coffee	466	lb.	1·1
Cocoa	1,606	lb.	1·6
Canned meat (other than canned corned meat).	1,585	lb.	4·4
Rabbits and hares	256	lb.	1·0
Poultry	86	lb.	0·6

It should be noted however that in some cases the profits were secured on stocks bought at prices materially lower than present cost, and do not therefore represent the current rates of profit.