HC Deb 28 April 1937 vol 323 cc329-30
46. Lieut.-Colonel C. Kerr

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the appointment of the committee to consider the production of calcium carbide in the United Kingdom?

47. Mr. Erskine Hill

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the promised committee to consider the production of calcium carbide in the United Kingdom has yet been appointed; and, if so, whether he can state its personnel and the terms of reference?

The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)

The established practice is not to make public particulars of committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and I should be very sorry to see any change made in that practice. Exceptions, however, have been made in certain special cases, and this appears to me to be one in which the public interest is best served by an announcement. The terms of reference are to consider and report as to the relative advantages of any schemes which may be submitted to them for the production of calcium carbide and allied products in the United Kingdom. The committee will be Sir Ernest Harvey, K.B.E., late Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England, as Chairman, with Mr. Peter Bennett of Messrs. Joseph Lucas and Company, Vice-President of the Federation of British Industries, and Mr. T. Lodge, C.B., late member of the Commission of Government in Newfoundland. Communications should be addressed to the Secretary, Calcium Carbide Committee, 2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. As the inquiry may involve consideration of certain chemical problems, I have thought it desirable to assist the committee by the appointment of a technical assessor drawn from the public service and have obtained the services of Sir Gilbert Morgan, D.Sc., LL.D., Director of the Chemical Laboratory, Teddington, in that capacity.

Mr. Davidson

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the circular issued by Campbell-Binnie and Reid, of Hamilton, on the question of the production of calcium carbide and, if so, will that circular be examined closely by the committee of inquiry?

Sir T. Inskip

I have not seen the circular. If the hon. Member cares to send me a copy of it, I shall he glad to submit it to the right quarter.

Mr. Short

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why no association of labour is on the committee?

Sir T. Inskip

I think the three gentlemen are well qualified to deal with the question.

Mr. Cassells

Are there any Scotsmen on the committee?

Sir T. Inskip

I do not know.

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