§ 45. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Production if he will publish the calculations as a result of which he has estimated that the bulk purchase of copper imports has resulted in a saving of £40,000,000 during the whole course of the war.
§ The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)It would not be in the public interest to give details of our copper purchases during the war. It is estimated, however, that the difference in the average price paid during the war to producers in the U.S.A. and South America for refined copper f.o.b. refinery and that paid for refined copper f.o.b. under the long term contracts entered into by His Majesty's Government early in the war amounts in the aggregate, in respect of our purchases during the five years of war, to approximately £35,000,000. This sum by no means covers all the savings which have been made by bulk purchase of copper.
§ Mr. Austin HopkinsonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures include amounts paid to the British Metals Corporation for managing the affair?
§ Mr. A. EdwardsDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the statement he has just made strengthens the case for private enterprise or otherwise?