§ Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, why he is charging the British manufacturers £147 per ton for lead, £231 for copper, and £190 for zinc, when their overseas competitors can obtain these metals for £100, £196 and £156 a ton, respectively.
§ Mr. H. StraussI have been asked to reply.
The Ministry of Materials selling prices for copper and lead are at present based on replacement costs. Neither metal is to be had in quantity by overseas buyers at the prices quoted by my hon. Friend. The Ministry's zinc price is now being reviewed. The price of lead was reduced yesterday to £131 per ton.
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