49. Major NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the closing down of a number of the gold mines on the Rand, owing to the increase in the cost of production and lack of labour, is now imminent; whether the price of gold should remain fixed while the cost of producing it has so enormously increased; and has he any means at his disposal to prevent the diminution of the output of gold due to the causes mentioned?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on this subject on the 22nd April last.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; to a certain extent it is—gold produced within the Empire.