HC Deb 28 February 1962 vol 654 cc1321-3
19. Mr. Smithers

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has received from the Gas Council regarding the number of people who will find employment in the routine operation of the proposed underground storage of imported methane gas near and beneath the City of Winchester.

Mr. Green

The Gas Council has informed the Ministry of Power that the number will be very small—probably less than ten.

Mr. Smithers

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the House yesterday my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for Science revealed for the first time the elaborate precautions and restrictions stipulated by the Geological Survey to the Gas Council as essential if the admitted dangers of fire, contamination and subsidence are to be avoided? Is he further aware that these quite new precautions do not appear to be provided for by the Bill now before Parliament and therefore some of them will presumably wreck it—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is not a proper use of Questions to give the Minister information—which is all that is happening at present—in respect of some matter for which he has not responsibility, or, indeed, of anything else.

Mr. Smithers

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, this deals with the safety factors involved. I was asking the Minister whether it was not fortunate that so few people would be employed in this project.

Mr. Speaker

That would appear to be asking the Minister to express an opinion and for that reason it would be defective.

Mr. Farey-Jones

Will not a large labour force be involved in this project? In view of the scarcity of local labour already urgently required for road projects and other work, is it wise to use such a force? Is my hon. Friend aware that the Gas Council itself has been warned by its own consultants, and here I am quoting, that: "the risks involved …"—[HON. MEMBERS: "READING."]—As to their research on the difficulty of filling the reservoir with gas the consultants say that none of the calculations Rives encouraging results. In view of this, is my hon. Friend still of the opinion that this is the most vital use of the labour force available?

Mr. Green

I was asked what numbers would be employed in routine work if this installation were put in. The answer, I repeat, is "Very small." On construction, no doubt, more people would be required. Presumably a contractor would be required to provide the labour force.