HC Deb 07 July 1943 vol 390 cc2095-6

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. BURKE:

63. To ask the Minister of Supply why authorisation was given for the erection of a building and plant for British Celanese to manufacture a substance of which he has been informed, seeing that there is already enough productive capacity in the country to manufacture this commodity and ample supplies are available?

Mr. Burke

May I ask your advice, Sir, with regard to this Question? I put it down with the name of the substance included. The Question has been altered. I would like to know whether it is right for a Question to be altered without the Member concerned being consulted about the alteration. It seems to me that the value of Question Time will be seriously impaired if we are to have the technique of the Secret Session brought in. This is a substance which is quite well known, and unless the general public and the trade know what British Celanese make, it is impossible for them to know what is going on.

Mr. Speaker

I cannot answer that question. I understand that a Question was put down by the hon. Member originally, with the name of this substance. The hon. Member did agree, I understand, to the omission in the first Question, and perhaps it was thought that he agreed to the omission in the second Question as well.

Mr. Burke

No, I have had no consultation with anyone about the terms of this Question.

Mr. Speaker

I had no previous knowledge that this matter was going to be raised. Perhaps if the hon. Member will see me I shall be able to help him.

Sir A. Duncan

After carefully reviewing requirements and all other relevant circumstances, including the location of existing capacity, I was satisfied as to the wisdom of installing the additional plant in question.

Mr. Burke

Was the authorisation for the building of this plant by British Celanese given by the right hon. Gentleman on the advice of his usual advisers, or was it given entirely off his own bat?

Sir A. Duncan

It was done entirely on the advice of my usual advisers.

Mr. Burke

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what this material is going to be used for, and will it not put British Celanese in a very privileged position when the war is over?

Sir A. Duncan

Most certainly not. No question of privilege to any firm enters into these matters.

Mr. Bellenger

Is there any reason why this substance should not be disclosed to the House? Are there any security reasons?

Sir A. Duncan

I was not aware up to now that there had been any discussion on the form of the Question.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Why is the policy of my right hon. Friend's Ministry in connection with this case so different from the policy of the Ministry of Aircraft Production?

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