§ 8. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the iron, steel and tinplate industries in Wales; and, in particular, on the future development of the Margam Project and of Messrs. John Lysaghts, Limited, Newport.
§ Mr. WilmotI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan) on 21st April last.
§ Mr. FreemanBefore any final decision is made on the future of cold roll, sheet steel, and the tinplate industries in South Wales, will my right hon. Friend undertake that both local authorities and trade unionists will be consulted in regard to the whole matter?
§ Mr. WilmotYes, Sir, I can arrange for that.
§ 13 Mr. Peter Thorneycroftasked the Minister of Supply (1) whether, before any final decision is taken to erect a new cold reduction plant at Margam in substitution for the existing plant at Newport, the House will be informed of the reasons for such a decision and the expert advice upon which it is founded;
(2) the amount of money which has been spent since 1943 in the development of the existing wide cold reduction mill at Newport;
(3) the estimated cost in dollars, and the number of manhours involved, in the erection of a new cold reduction plant at Margam in substitution for the existing one at Newport.
§ Mr. WilmotThe Iron and Steel Board have not yet received detailed recommendations from the promoting companies concerning the proposed cold reduction sheet mill, and I am not, therefore, in a position to give the information asked for by the hon. Member. I will make a statement to the House as soon as possible.