§ 47. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he can make a preliminary statement about the Calcium Carbide Committee; when it is proposed to publish the report of the committee; how many calcium carbide factories is it proposed to construct; and in which areas?
48. Mr. Davidsonasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the number of meetings held up to date by the committee appointed to consider the question of calcium carbide production in this country?
§ Sir T. InskipThe Calcium Carbide Committee is actively engaged on the task put before it. I am not able to give information as to the number of meetings of the committee.
§ Mr. E. SmithAfter that very disappointing reply, and in view of the very serious position which this country is in from calcium carbide having to be imported, is it not time that the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence took steps to expedite the publication of this report?
§ Sir T. InskipThe committee were appointed to make particular investigations, and from the information which I have received I am satisfied that they are losing no time at all in making the fullest and best report in the circumstances.
§ Mr. SmithIs it not a fact that some big monopoly is standing in the way of the development and production of calcium carbide in this country?
§ Sir T. InskipNo, Sir, that is quite untrue.
§ Sir T. InskipI would rather not give a time when the report may be expected, but I have no reason to believe that the hon. Gentleman will be dissatisfied with the expedition shown.
Mr. DavidsonDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that he, as Minister, has no knowledge of when the committee will make a report?
§ Sir T. InskipThe hon. Gentleman is mistaken if he thinks that it is my duty to supervise the proceedings of the committee. They work in their own way, and I am satisfied that they are doing that with great expedition.
49. Mr. Owen Evansasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the committee appointed to consider the relative advantages of any schemes for the production of calcium carbide are precluded from examining and reporting upon a scheme considered to be technically and commercially sound by responsible persons who have studied it unless, first, they satisfy the committee that the necessary finance is available to establish and operate the scheme?
§ Sir T. InskipI am informed that the Calcium Carbide Committee is, for the present, turning its attention to schemes which are accompanied by evidence to show that the promoters are prepared to back them financially, if need be, but attention will doubtless be given to schemes of the type mentioned by the hon. Member at a later stage, should the committee consider it desirable to do so.
Mr. EvansCan the Minister give us some assurance that such schemes as have been submitted to the committee will be considered on their merits from the commercial point of view rather than from the financial point of view?
§ Sir T. InskipThe practicability of a particular scheme must depend not only upon its technical advantages but upon financial possibilities. The committee are investigating schemes, and a number have been supplied backed by financial obligations. In due course the committee will consider, if they think fit, schemes which I might call paper schemes, unaccompanied by financial proposals.
§ Mr. E. SmithCan the Minister give an undertaking that national considerations will outweigh any monopoly considerations?
§ Sir T. InskipThe Government will most certainly consider only national considerations.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairCan the Minister tell us how long these investigations are to be drawn out if the committee are to consider a whole lot of paper schemes without any concrete proposals?
§ Sir T. InskipI have already answered a question as to how long the report will take before it is produced.