HC Deb 28 November 1955 vol 546 c1920
27. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will include in the OFFICIAL REPORT or in a White Paper a statement showing what progress has been made by fuel and power nationalised industries in the development and production of by products.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

My right hon. Friend recognises the importance of this subject, but it is fully covered in the Annual Reports of the industries and he does not consider the publication of a special statement is necessary.

Mr. Shinwell

I am well aware of the various Reports, but is the hon. Gentleman not aware that it is very difficult to follow them? Would it not be advisable to co-ordinate them and present a comprehensive survey to hon. Members? Would he reconsider the matter? It would not cost very much.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

To do it would involve simply the reproduction of a summary of certain sections of individual Reports and if it were done for one purpose, it would be thought desirable to do it for other purposes. We should end by getting to the stage of reproducing the same Reports in a different form.

Mr. Shinwell

As this is one of the main elements of progress in the fuel and power industries, is it not desirable to know what progress has been made? Apart from the information desired by hon. Members, is it not desirable to acquaint the public with the progress made?

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

I think that the public are able to obtain the information very easily from the Reports, which are carefully indexed and in which the information is quite readily available.