HC Deb 05 July 1937 vol 326 c25
49. Sir Cooper Rawson

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information about a proposal that the Glamorgan County Council should acquire and work a quarry for road-stone; whether he is aware that ample supplies of granite for roads can be obtained from privately-owned quarries in England and Wales; and whether he can give particulars of any municipally-owned quarry which, after allowing for the full costs of management, transport and depreciation of machinery, is producing stone at less than contract prices?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)

I have been asked to reply. I understand the council have such a proposal in mind, but I have no details; the answer to the second part is in the affirmative. I have not available the particulars asked for in the third part, but where materials obtained by local authorities from their own quarries are used on grant-aided works, my right hon. Friend requires to be satisfied that the prices charged are reasonable.

Mr. Morgan Jones

Does not the Minister think that it is best to leave the internal affairs of Glamorgan county to the members of that area?

Mr. G. Griffiths

Is the Minister aware that the West Riding has a small quarry which has already brought the price of private stone down by 1s. 6d. per ton?