HC Deb 21 April 1947 vol 436 cc592-3
29. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Supply why, pending the completion of a fair contract for the purchase of virgin aluminium ingot, he is paying a provisional price to the British Aluminium Company which is not only well below their bare cost of production but well below the price at which the metal could be purchased in any part of the world today.

Mr. Wilmot

The provisional price is equivalent to the landed price of aluminium purchased under Government contract from Canada.

Mr. Erroll

But surely that is not the price prevailing in Canada even when landed? Cannot the Minister pay a fair price as soon as possible?

Mr. Wilmot

A price is being negotiated, and pending negotiations being completed, a provisional price is being paid. The provisional price is the landed price from Canada.