§ 28. Mr. Edward Daviesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in completing a major extension of the Etruria Gas Works at Stoke-on-Trent, due to uncertainty of steel supplies; and what action he is taking to assist in removing the difficulties.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydYes, Sir. The difficulty relates only to certain steel products, but I hope that the position will shortly improve.
§ Mr. DaviesMay we have an assurance that, wherever this work requires supplies of steel, the Minister will be sympathetic towards helping us to save coal, to get a cleaner atmosphere, and to help the pottery industry?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir. Owing to the success of the pottery industry and their enterprise in installing the continuous tunnel type of kiln their consumption of gas has enormously increased, and we want to do our best to meet them in full in that respect.
§ Dr. StrossDoes the Minister realise that, so far as the use of gas for the pottery industry is concerned, a medium-sized factory, using the modern continuous firing process, uses as much gas as an ordinary township of 30,000 people? Bearing in mind the essential need for as much gas as we can get, although this is the most modern plant in Europe, will he ensure that we get preference for it?
§ Mr. LloydWe shall do our best because we know also how much it helps to improve the atmosphere of the Potteries.