§ Mr. H. JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether Australian zinc mining companies are able to pay a dividend as a result of the Government's undertaking to buy large quantities of 411W Australian zinc concentrates for a period of 10 years following the conclusion of the War; and whether, owing to the same cause, all British zinc mines have been compelled to shut down?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONSo far as I am aware, out of 11 Australian zinc mining companies only three paid a dividend on their ordinary shares in 1921. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.