§ 9. Mr. BLACKasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount advanced to the British Dyestuffs Corporation both by way of capital contributions, by loans and grants, and otherwise; and what is the present market value of the Government holdings in the corporation?
Mr. WEBBThe share capital held by the Government in the British Dyestuffs Corporation is 850,000 preference and 850,000 preferred ordinary shares of £1 each. In addition, a sum of £100,000 for research was made to British Dyes, Limited, which was subsequently acquired by the British Dyestuffs Corporation. The present Stock Exchange quotations for the preference and preferred ordinary shares of the corporation are 11s. 6d. and 6s. 6d. respectively.
§ Mr. B. TURNEROn a point of Order. Cannot the Minister, in answering questions, turn this way sometimes?
§ Mr. BLACKMay I ask whether, in the interests of large textile and other manufacturing interests, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the complete removal of all import duties upon essential dyestuffs?