§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, over the period of phosphate mining by the British Phosphate Commission, the phosphate has been sold to participating Governments at market prices or under preferential pricing; and what were the rates of royalties per ton payable to landowners over the period of mining leases.
§ Mr. LuardNo reliable phosphate "market price" before 1967 had been established to the Government's satisfac-488W tion. Since 1968 the price has been based on that agreed for Nauru phosphate. The royalty rates per ton have varied greatly, but full details are not available at short notice.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the percentage interests of the participant Governments in the British Phosphate Commission; and whether they draw phosphate rock proportionate to their equity interest.
§ Mr. LuardCapital for the establishment of the British Phosphate Commissioners in 1920 was provided by Australia (42 per cent.), Britain (42 per cent.) and New Zealand (16 per cent.); nearly all phosphate has gone to Australia and New Zealand.