Mr. D. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the vendors of the Australian zinc concentrates and metal were financially interested in the purchase of the Avonmouth Smelting Works from the Government; and whether the cancellation or purchase of the Australian zinc concentrates contract was made a condition of the sale?
Mr. YOUNGThese works, which do not belong to the Government, have not been sold; the question does not therefore arise.
Mr. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Avonmouth Smelting Works, in which the Government invested large sums of money, have been sold; and, if so, what loss of public money has been incurred on this transaction?
Mr. YOUNGMy hon. Friend appears to refer to the works of the National Smelting Company, on which the Government holds a charge in respect of advances made during the War. These works have-not been sold.