§ 3. Major KELLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has ascertained the present costs of sinking, and consequently capital expenditure now necessary to sink, as compared with the cost during the five pre-war years; and, if so, will he state what the comparison of cost is?
§ Sir A. GEDDESNo detailed investigation into the present cost of sinking has been made, and as such cost is necessarily spread over a number of years, during which conditions and consequently costs may vary considerably, the results of any such investigation—which would involve much expenditure of time and labour—could only be in the nature of an estimate.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs it not safe to assume that the present cost is something more than double?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIt might be quite safe to assume that, but if I said that I assumed that, it would not be an answer to the question I have been asked.