Intermediate: Profitability analysis and a decision on further processing C Ltd operates a process which produces three joint products. In the period just ended costs of production totalled £509 640. Output from the process during the period was:

Product W 276 000 kilos Product X 334 000 kilos Product Y 134 000 kilos There were no opening stocks of the three products. Products W and X are sold In this state. Product Y is subjected to further processing. Sales of Products Wand X during the period were:

Product W 255 000 kilos at £0.945 per kilo Product X 312000 kilos at £0.890 per kilo 128 000 kilos of Product Y were further processed during the period. The balance of the period production of the three products W, X and Y remained in stock at the end of the period. The value of closing stock of individual products is calculated by apportioning costs according to weight of output.
The additional costs in the period of further processing Product Y, which is converted into Product Z, were:
Directlabour £10850 Production overhead £7 070 96 000 kilos of Product Z were produced from the 128 000 kilos of Product Y. A by-product BP is also produced which can be sold for £0.12 per kilo. 8000 kilos of BP were produced and sold in the period.
Sales of Product Z during the period were 94 000 kilos. with a total revenue of £100 110. Opening stock of Product Z was 8000 kilos, valued at £8.640. The FIFO method is used for pric1ng transfers of Product Z to cost of sales.
Selling and administration costs are charged to all main products when sold, at 10% of revenue.
Required:

(a) Prepare a profit and loss account for the period, identifying separately the profitability of each of the three main products. (14 marks)

(b) C Ltd has now received an offer from another company to purchase the total output of Product Y (i.e. before further processing) for £0.62 per kilo. Calculate the viability of this alternative. (5 marks)

(c) Discuss briefly the methods of. and rationale for, joint cost apportionment.