§ 71. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the increased demand for tin plates and sheets, the restrictions upon production that have been operating in the industry in South Wales have now been removed; and whether, in view of the increased demand, he will negotiate with the owners of the tin and sheet mills situate at Garnant, Glanamman, Brynamman, and Llangennech with a view to the resumption of work at these mills which have been idle for a considerable time?
§ Dr. BurginThe owners of these works will no doubt consider the possibility of reopening them if the present demand continues and raw material is available.
§ Mr. GriffithsHas the hon. Gentleman received representations from the men's union that they are of the opinion that the time is now appropriate for a sharing or spread-over of the work, so as to enable those works to resume operations?
§ Dr. BurginTwo of the works belong to a company which has other works under construction and, further, as the House will understand, none of these works make steel.
§ Mr. GriffithsCannot the Government make representations that it is not in the national interest or the public interest that a company should construct new works when it has existing works which it keeps closed? May I have a reply?