HC Deb 05 July 1904 vol 137 c638
MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the saving on explosives in the Transvaal in 1903, as compared with 1899, was is. 3½d. per ton milled; and if the saving on the total tons milled was £408,533 during the year in which the receipts from the gold mine profit tax were £162,573.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and Leamington

I am aware that the saving has been estimated at 1s. 3½d. as stated by competent mining authorities. For the explanation of the amount received under the 10 per cent, profit tax, which represents something over 1s. per ton, I must refer the hon. Member to Lord Milner s despatch of 18th June last in the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 2102 just published.

MR. WHITLEY

Are the figures in my Question correct?

MR. LYTTELTON

Yes, as far as I can gather from the authorities I have been able to consult.

MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the saving would have been, both to the mining industry and the Transvaal, if a new dynamite monopoly had not been granted to the De Beers Company of South Africa?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Answer.