HC Deb 25 January 1949 vol 460 cc733-4
34. Mr. H. D. Hughes

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what alternatives were considered to the proposed extension of the Hope Valley cement works before approval was given; and what were the reasons for rejecting the proposals for restricting the height of chimney and developing Cauldon Low as an alternative source of supply after the next few years.

Mr. Silkin

The proposed works at Cauldon Low and the extension of the works at Hope are both necessary to achieve the required level of production for the home and export markets. Cauldon Low is not, therefore, an alternative. New or expanded works in other parts of the country will be necessary as well. Sites containing the necessary mineral deposits of suitable quality and quantity are very limited and I know of no satisfactory alternative to Hope that would give an equivalent output. The height of the chimney has been restricted to 400 feet which should be just sufficient to deal effectively with the emissions from the works. I am satisfied that any further limitation on the height would not have been in the interests of the people who live in the area.

Mr. Hughes

While appreciating the need for cement production, may I ask if the Minister is aware that technical experts, including a professor of fuel technology at Sheffield University, have stated that a much shorter chimney combined with efficient waste gas clearing plant would be more effective to do the job; and would he set up a technical committee to review this matter again?

Mr. Silkin

I cannot review this particular matter. The whole thing was threshed out at great length at the public inquiry, and I am satisfied that I have all the relevant information before me.

Mr. Molson

Is the Minister prepared to put a report of the whole of the proceedings of the inquiry into the Library? This point was raised with the Parliamentary Secretary the other day, and he undertook to give consideration to it. Can the Minister now give us an assurance on this point?

Mr. Silkin

We have placed in the Library the decision letter which has gone out and which is a pretty full account of the reasons which actuated us.