I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your further
letter of 23rd June, 1938 [1], on the subject of the export of
iron ore from Australia, and to forward herewith, for your
information, a copy of the Statement which I made in this regard
in the House of Representatives on 19th May. [2] You will see that
I said that if the detailed survey of Australia's iron ore
resources which is now being undertaken results in the appearance
of some reassuring features, the Government would be prepared to
reconsider the decision which has been reached.

In view of the fact that the survey will involve a great amount of
detailed work, as considerable distances will need to be covered,
and as it will be necessary to collaborate with State Governments,
it is not possible to form any estimate of the time which will be
occupied by the investigation. It will, however, be conducted with
the greatest possible expedition.

J. A. LYONS