§ Mr. WATSON RUTHERFORDasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of the British Broken Hill Proprietary Company which produces, in large quantities, concentrates of lead and zinc at Broken Hill and disposes of the same to smelters, and whose mine is now closed down, with a large number of men out of work, owing to the contracts with practically the only available smelters, who are a German concern, being incapable of performance for the time being; and whether the Government will introduce legislation which would enable the company (and other concerns similarly situated) to cancel their existing German contracts and enable them to contract with other parties who, in the event of such legislation being passed, would be willing to lay out the large capital sums necessary for properly treating such concentrates in England or elsewhere out of Germany?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware of the case referred to, which is under consideration. No statement can at present be made with regard to it.