Colonel THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of salt exported from Great Britain from January to September this year, and what were the principal destinations to which it was forwarded with particulars of the export in each instance; whether he will indicate to which of these destinations he proposes to apply the new restrictions as to export; whether these restrictions will also apply to saltcake as to salt; and whether he will take action in the matter?
Sir A. STANLEYThe total amount of salt exported from Great Britain from January to September this year was 207,000 tons. Of this quantity 41,000 tons were exported to Norway, 29,000 tons to Nigeria, 20,000 tons to1638W Canada, 15,000 tons to the United States of America, and 14,000 tons to India. The remaining exports were very widely distributed, the greater part being sent to British Possessions. It is not anticipated that it will be necessary materially to restrict exportation to British Dominions and Colonies, but it is probable that only very limited quantities will be available for other destinations. Exportation of saltcake is prohibited only to certain European countries, and licences are issued freely for safe destinations.
Colonel THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade what were the net earnings and dividends of the Salt Union, Limited, and Brunner, Mond, and Company, respectively, for the years 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917; whether he will state what was the average price per ton of salt exported from this country for the above four years, respectively; and whether he will take action in the matter?
Sir A. STANLEYThe net earnings of Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Company, Limited, for the year ending 31st March, 1914, were £769,347, for 1915 £799,322, for 1916 £1,011,590, for 1917 £1,117,153, and 1918 £1,111,848. The dividend paid by this firm on the ordinary shares in 1914 was 27½ per cent., in 1915 25 per cent., in 1916 27½ per cent., in 1917 27½ per cent., and in 1918 11 per cent. on a considerably increased capital. Dividends were also paid on the preference shares at the rate of 7 per cent. in each year.
The net earnings of the Salt Union, Limited, after deducting debenture interest of £54,000, were, in 1914 £35,443, in 1915 £86,524, and in 1916 £326,555. The figures for 1917 are not yet available.
The dividends paid in 1914 were 3s. per £ share on the preference shares, and nothing on the ordinary shares; in 1915 10s. 8d. per share on the preference shares and 1s. per £ share on the ordinary shares, and in 1916 and 1917 14s. per share on the preference shares and 12s. per share on the ordinary shares.
The average price per ton of salt exported from this country was 18s. 6d. in 1914, 21s. in 1915, 29s. in 1916, and 44s. 2d. in 1917.
Colonel THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before making any restrictions operative as to the export of salt, he will have full local inquiry made as to the number of men likely to be stood off in consequence, and 1639W will set up machinery either to draft the excess labour into fit occupations, or, if the limitation is only likely to be temporary, to adopt the method like that of the Cotton Control Board, to apportion the available work in such a manner as to retain the average staff of salt workers in regular employment; and whether he will take action in the matter?
Sir A. STANLEYThe restriction of the exportation of salt has been introduced to meet the consequences of reduced output following upon diminished supplies of coal. I am advised that there is no likelihood of an excess of labour in this industry. I will, however, bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion in the event of circumstances arising which should render it necessary to take action of this kind.