HC Deb 22 March 1937 vol 321 c2562
50 Mr. A. Edwards (for Mr. E. J. Williams)

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the colliery or collieries which will restart on the South Crop coalfield to supply the projected coalite plant;

(2) whether the site has been purchased for the coalite plant in Mid-Glamorgan and the place in which it will be situated;

(3) whether he is in a position to state the number of persons who will be found employment at the projected coalite works on the South Crop, Mid-Glamorgan?

The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)

I have been asked to reply. When my right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour made his announcement on 9th March concerning this proposal, he made it clear that the completion of the negotiations was contingent on the passing of the Special Areas Bill. In these circumstances I should not be justified, at this stage, in disclosing information of the kind mentioned in the questions.

Mr. Edwards

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the financial success of a Coalite plant is very largely dependent on the disposal of the byproducts for hydrogenation purposes; and will he consider the advisability of having a hydrogenation plant erected in the district?

Captain Crookshank

That has nothing to do with the questions on the Paper.