§ Colonel WOODCOCKasked the President of the Board of Trade upon what date the Government contract, which expires on 30th June, 1930, for the purchase of Australian zinc concentrates was made; what is the estimated loss to the present date; and whether he has formed any conclusion as to the effect of this contract upon the mines of the United Kingdom?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe contract for the purchase of Australian zinc concentrates which expires on 30th June, 1930, is dated 9th April, 1918. The net loss from April, 1918, to 31st March, 1928, the date of the last completed accounts, was £3,900,000. I have no reason to think that the difficulties which British mines have experienced have been affected to any real extent by the existence of this contract.