§ Mr. BLACKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the British Dye stuffs Corporation, Limited, has purchased for its own account for re-working or disposal, parcels of reparation dye-stuffs as per Article 13 of the Agreement of 18th August, 1922?
Mr. WEBBNo reparation dyestuffs have been sold to the British Dyestuffs Corporation for re-working or disposal, with the exception of a certain quantity of indigo requisitioned under a special arrangement which was in operation for a short time between the Board of Trade, the principal consumers of indigo in the textile trades, and the corporation.
§ Mr. BLACKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade fixed the prices to be charged to consumers under Article 8 of the Agreement with the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, of 18th August, 1922; whether the representatives of the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, assisted in settling the prices or had any control over the selling prices; and whether the dyestuffs handled under this agreement came into competition with the dyestuffs produced by the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, in this country?
Mr. WEBBThe prices charged for reparation dyestuffs are fixed by the Board of Trade from time to time, with the help of an informal committee consisting of two representatives of the Colour Users' Association and two representatives of the British Dyestuffs Corporation, as being the Board's agents. The supplies of such dyestuffs are requisitioned 2023W by the Board after consultation with representatives of the British makers and of the consumers, and have been confined, so far as practicable, to products not competitive with British products.
§ Mr. BLACKasked the President of the Board of Trade how much was paid to the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, in the year ending the 31st March, 1924, for commission and all other charges upon the value of reparation dye-stuffs of £194,000 received?
Mr. WEBBThe amount paid to British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, in the year ended 31st March, 1924, in respect of commission and all other charges was £40,070. This amount represents commission on sales during the year amounting to £343,600—and not on the value of dye-stuffs received—together with certain expenses chargeable to the Board of Trade.