HC Deb 09 March 1937 vol 321 cc954-5
34. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary for Mines the annual production of motor spirit at Billingham?

Captain Crookshank

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 19th January last to two questions by the hon. Member for the Springburn Division of Glasgow (Mr. Hardie), which contained figures of the production of motor spirit at Billingham for the calendar year 1936.

Mr. Paling

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say now whether it is intended to put down any other plants?

Captain Crookshank

No, Sir.

Mr. Hardie

Since the previous question was put and the answer to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has referred was given, has there been any further information with regard to the accuracy of the figures then given, because on the face of it they were wrong to start with?

Captain Crookshank

The figures were those for the annual production last year, and that has not altered.

Mr. Hardie

Yes, but these figures are wrong.

Mr. George Griffiths

Arising out of the Minister's answer to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Paling), does he mean that the Government say definitely "No" to any further plants, or does he mean that he does not know?

Mr. Paling

Have the Government reached a decision as to whether the plant at Billingham is a success or not?

Mr. Speaker

That is a matter of opinion.