§ 6. Mr. Critchleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will refuse to renew the licence granted to the Martin Earle Works, Rochester, under the Alkali Act in connection with the manufacture of cement unless and until a precipitator is installed.
§ Sir K. JosephThe current certificate of registration under the Alkali Act expires at the end of the month. No application for a further certificate is before my right hon. Friend. If one is received, the Chief Alkali Inspector will require 1104 the installation of external de-dusting plant.
§ Mr. CritchleyWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I say that I am sure that he is aware that there is a great deal of anxiety in Rochester about the Martin Earle Works? Those works have been working on cement for over a year without a precipitator, and we are concerned lest they ask for a licence and one is granted, because it will be a further eighteen months, I understand, before one is fitted, so that there would then have been a period of almost thirty months of operation of this factory without a precipitator.
§ Sir K. JosephNo application for renewal has yet been made to my right hon. Friend.