asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the closing down of a number of the gold mines on the Rand, owing to the increase in the cost of production and lack of labour, is now imminent; whether the price of gold should remain fixed while the cost of producing it has so enormously increased; and has he any means at his disposal to prevent the diminution of the output of gold due to the causes mentioned?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on this subject on the 22nd April last.

Is it in the power of the Government to fix the price of gold?

Yes; to a certain extent it is—gold produced within the Empire.