L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 589
Company is not now buying mica in India. It bought certain quantities of mica in 1940-42 under contracts with the Government of India and the large increase in production in Indian mica in 1941 was largely the result of these purchases. The prices which it paid were fair and reasonable. Neither the Joint Mica Mission nor the Metals Reserve Company are profit-making concerns.
(d) The Joint Mica Mission is a Government concern. It consists of three British and three American members appointed by the Government of Great Britain and of the United States of America. One of the British members is Chairman. The Mission buys mica for the Ministry of Supply in the case of the United Kingdom and for the Metals Reseve Company of the United States of America in the case of the United States of America. The Metals Reserve Company is a corporation created by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation of the United States of America under section 5 (d) of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act and is a duly organised agency of the Government of the United States of America.
Babu Baijnath Bajoria : With regard to para. (a) of the question, the Honourable Member has said “No”. Does it mean that other supply firms are allowed to export mica from India ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My Honourable friend will find answer to that in the next question.
Babu Baijnath Bajoria : But you have already said “No” to part (a) of my question.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes.
Babu Baijnath Bajoria : That means that other firms will be allowed to export mica from India.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is no prohibition ; there are certain conditions prescribed.
Babu Baijnath Bajoria : As regards (c), is the Honourable Member aware that the Joint Mica Mission have raised the standard of quality and reduced the rate thereby ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No. The answer to that also will be found in the next question.