§ 37. Major Peter Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the total cost of the machinery and erection of an opencast screening plant at Blacker Hill, near Barnsley.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe cost of the screen and its erection, including the necessary foundations, was approximately £12,600.
§ Major RobertsHas this screen been used?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am afraid not.
§ Mr. WalkdenWill my right hon. Friend say when this money was authorised, for what purpose, and by whom?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt was not authorised by me. It was authorised by somebody before me.
§ Mr. JenningsCan the right hon. Gentlemen say why this expenditure has been incurred if the screening plant has not been used, and why it has not been used?
§ Mr. ShinwellThere are several reasons. I myself have had nothing to do with it; I think there are quite good reasons why the expenditure should have been incurred in the first place but, unfortunately, something went wrong.