HC Deb 20 May 1946 vol 423 cc15-7
40. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Supply when he will sanction the reconstruction scheme at the Dalzell works of Messrs. Colvilles, Limited, as outlined in -the report of the Iron and Steel Federation.

41. Mr. Martin Lindsay

asked the Minister of Supply what major schemes of reconstruction in the steel industry have been started in the last six months.

43. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken to secure an immediate start on the most urgent schemes in the report of the Iron and Steel Federation.

Mr. Wilmot

Twenty-seven schemes, costing nearly £6,000,000, have already been approved and licences issued. A further 20 of the more urgent schemes, costing some 48,000,000, have also been approved and the firms concerned have been asked to supply the details necessary for the issue of licences. This covers all the urgent schemes which are ready to proceed, including the reconstruction scheme at the Dalzell Works of Messrs. Colvilles. With the hon. Members' permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the major schemes on which work has commenced during the last six months.

Mr. Erroll

Have all these schemes been privately financed by the companies themselves?

Mr. Wilmot

I am afraid I must have notice of that question.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Minister say which of these schemes have been sanctioned since he received the report of the Iron and Steel Federation? All of them?

Mr. Wilmot

I have not got them so divided.

Mr. Keeling

Have any of them been so sanctioned?

Mr. Wilmot

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Kirkwood

With regard to the reconstruction of the Dalzell Works, the Government are spending millions of pounds, and will they own these steel works after they have been reconstructed, or is the same thing to happen as happened in the war? Are the works to revert to the company to be used for profit?

Mr. Wilmot

We shall be dealing with this matter in some detail very shortly. I think it has already been announced that a large part of the main production of steel will be brought under public ownership.

Mr. Eden

Is it not clear that all these schemes are at present to be privately financed?

Mr. Wilmot

Not necessarily.

Mr. M. Lindsay

I would like to know what steps the Minister has taken to see that these development plans are now able to proceed in spite of the uncertainty that has been engendered in the industry as a result of the Government statement.

Mr. Wilmot

The answer to that question is that they are proceeding, as the hon. Gentleman will find when he reads my answer, and as he will notice from several reports that have been issued in recent days by the companies

Following is the list: