§ 38. Mr. CLAYTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the output of phosphate at Nauru and Ocean Island in the period of 3½ years since these deposits came under Government control on the 1st July, 1920, to the 31st December, 1923; and to what countries, and in what quantities, was this output distributed?
Mr. THOMAS1,253,280 tons, distributed to United Kingdom 32,300 tons; to Australia 794,570 tons; to New Zealand 126,800 tons; and to other countries 299,610 tons. The corresponding percentages are 3, 63, 10, and 24, respectively.
§ 39. Mr. CLAYTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long it is since the last shipment of Nauru or Ocean Island phosphate was made to the United Kingdom; and for what reason has so small a proportion of the output been shipped to the United Kingdom?
Mr. THOMASThe last shipment to the United Kingdom was made on 11th November, 1921. The main factor in determining the amount shipped has presumably been the price.
§ 40. Mr. CLAYTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reduction has there been in the f.o.b. price of Nauru/Ocean Island phosphate since the last shipment was made to the United Kingdom; what approximate reduction has there been in the present c.i.f. price compared with the last c.i.f. price paid; and how does the present approximate c.i.f. price of Nauru/Ocean Island phosphate in the United Kingdom compare with its pre-War c.i.f. price?
Mr. THOMASI am informed that the present f.o.b. price of Nauru/Ocean Island phosphate is about 15s. a ton below that at which the last cargo was shipped to the United Kingdom. The present approximate c.i.f. price in the United Kingdom is about 42s. below that of the last shipment. The present approximate c.i.f. price in the United Kingdom is about 3s. above the pre-War price.
§ Mr. BECKERWhy does the right hon. Gentleman give us only the approximate price instead of the actual price?