HC Deb 24 November 1937 vol 329 cc1221-3
51. Mr. Sexton

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the decision as to calcium carbide factories has yet been made; and, if so, what is to be the location of such factories?

53. Mr. Leslie

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the Government have given their approval to the establishment in Scotland of a hydroelectric plant for the manufacture of calcium carbide and a subsidiary plant in South Wales; and whether the Government will consider the establishment of similar plant in Durham?

Sir T. Inskip

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave on Thursday, 18th November, to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans).

Mr. Leslie

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the facilities offered by Durham, containing all the essentials for a plant?

Mr. Sexton

Was the South-West Durham Development Board consulted in this matter before the decision was come to, and if not, why not?

Sir T. Inskip

The committee made its own investigations. I am answering a question as to the authorities that were consulted and that were invited to give evidence.

52. Mr. Davidson

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what local authorities were consulted, interviewed, or invited to give evidence by the committee of investigation into the production of calcium carbide?

Sir T. Inskip

The local authorities invited to give evidence by the sub-committee were the Inverness County Council, the Borough of Inverness, the Fort William Town Council, the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil, and also the Ness Fishery Board. Though I have given this information in reply to the hon. Member's question, I may perhaps remind the hon. Member that, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Inverness (Sir M. MacDonald) and Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans) on 28th October, the report of the sub-committee has to be regarded as a secret document and I hope I shall not be pressed for further information as to its contents.

Mr. Davidson

While agreeing with the secrecy of the sub-committee's report, may I ask, if any of the projected plans with regard to this production interfere with the amenities of any local authorities in the area, such local authorities will be given full opportunity of explaining their viewpoint before any action is taken?

Sir T. Inskip

That is the sort of question which would properly be discussed, I would respectfully suggest, on the Second Reading of the Bill that is to be presented to the House.

Mr. Davidson

But surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the anxiety of local authorities on this question, and can he not give them at least this assurance, that should any of the projected schemes interfere with their local amenities or electricity undertakings, they will be consulted?

Sir T. Inskip

That is an inevitable step in the procedure by private Bill. There are means for examining exactly such questions as the hon. Member suggests.

Mr. Sexton

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I would remind the hon. Member that there are too questions on the Paper.