§ 28. Commander Agnewasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the delay in setting up the committee to inquire into metalliferous mining, which has been caused by his own continuing preoccupation with other duties, he will, in the meantime, publish the Report of the committee set up by his predecessor, so as to make available the fullest information regarding the situation in the Cam Brea area.
§ 38. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the repeated efforts to interest him in reviving the Cornish tin industry, why he has not published the report of the committee set up to advise his Department upon this subject.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn accordance with the terms of reference the inquiry of the committee of technical experts appointed by my predecessor included an investigation into affairs of a named undertaking, and it is not customary to publish the reports in such circumstances. The question of a wider inquiry has been carefully examined, and I hope to make an announcement very shortly
§ Commander AgnewIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great uncertainty in the district of Cam Brea as to the future of the tin mining industry there; and that, in view of the continued procrastination of his Department in addressing itself to this problem, the people of the district believe that the information that has been made available to him by eminent mining professional men should also be made available to them, so that they can assist him in coming to a decision?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe information conveyed to my Department would not be of much value to the tin mining industry at the present time. We must consider" the tin mining industry as a part of a general inquiry.
§ Mr. MarshallCan the Minister give an assurance that he realises the importance of reviving the tin mining industry in Cornwall, and will he treat sympathetically any suggestions put before him by hon. Members?
§ Mr. ShinwellI certainly will. I am very anxious to exploit all our mineral resources.