§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inquire into the action of the Government of Malta in refusing, for some time, to allow the Malta and Mediterranean Gas Company to increase the price of gas at Malta, notwithstanding that coal there had advanced in price £9 per ton from a pre-war price of 23s. 6d. per ton, with the result that the company has been unable to maintain the moderate dividend of 6 per cent., which it has paid for over thirty years, or pay any dividend, and has been threatened with a complete loss of profit; and whether he will assist the company in obtaining compensation for the loss thus inflicted upon them?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI am not aware of the exact history of this matter, but I will make further inquiry and let my hon. Friend know the result.