HC Deb 02 April 1957 vol 568 cc207-8
6. Wing Commander Bullus

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether any decision has yet been reached on the establishment of a Central Mineral Processing Laboratory.

13. Mr. Willey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a further statement on the proposed Central Mineral Processing Laboratory.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Discussions between the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the principal scientific and industrial interests concerned are continuing.

Wing Commander Bullus

Will my hon. Friend keep in mind the increasing importance of new metals for nuclear power applications?

Mr. Nicholls

My noble Friend is very well aware of our increasing dependence, on low-grade and complex ore deposits, and we realise that the extraction of useful constituents from what we have in this country must go on. I can assure my hon. Friend that that will remain a high priority with my noble Friend.

Mr. Willey

Will the Parliamentary Secretary remember that I had a previous reply similar to this one? Would he do his best to expedite the discussions and ensure that we can take some effective action?

Mr. Nicholls

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Gentleman will remember that the new Research Council for the D.S.I.R. was established under the Bill which was introduced and passed only last year, and the Question on the Order Paper today is only one of the many problems which it has been looking at since it has been reformed.