HC Deb 15 March 1965 vol 708 cc870-2
25. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the expanded building programme, what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of cement.

27 and 30. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what action he has taken to ensure that the expanding building programme will not be held up by a shortage of cement;

(2) from which areas is it hoped to increase the output of cement needed for the expanding building programme.

Mr. Boyden

Since last autumn the Department has been discussing with the cement manufacturers the future level of demand for cement and their plans for increasing manufacturing capacity. New capacity is being provided at Westbury in Wiltshire, Weardale in County Durham, at Tunstead in Derbyshire, and Padeswood in Flintshire. The first two are expected to be in production by the autumn of 1965, and the second two by about the end of the year. There are further plans for future extensions, but these are still subject to planning or other considerations and it is not yet possible to give specific dates for their operation or capacity. As a temporary measure six disused kilns in Kent are being brought back into use and supplies of cement clinker for grinding are being imported by the industry. We are, however, worried about possible shortages in the next few months.

Mr. Murray

In view of my hon. Friend's answer, in further consultations with the cement manufacturers will he take into consideration the position of nearby residents and the constant fall-out of cement dust and consider whether the Government can give any help, in the same way as they have done at London Airport for a different purpose?

Mr. Boyden

We are very conscious of the nuisance to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. Friend is responsible for the Alkali Inspectorate and it is well aware of the developments. None of the old kilns will be brought into use without new precipitators being fitted, and I have already promised my hon. Friend that I will visit the sites in question to see that everything possible is done to prevent nuisance.

Mr. Dodds

Is my hon. Friend aware that these cement kilns went out of existence because it was said that precipitators could not be got to take out the dust? In view of the deep passions which have been aroused over the years in Kent by this blight, will my hon. Friend ensure that much more is done to reassure people in the area that they will not again have to suffer for this welcome news about cement? Can we at least expect that the alkali inspectors will visit the area around the clock and not just at office hours?

Mr. Boyden

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the expected additional annual capacity from the plants to which he referred in his earlier answer, and can he also say whether the industry has been assured that, despite high interest rates, the Government are determined to maintain a sufficient building programme to absorb all the products of these plants when they are in operation?

Mr. Boyden

To answer the second part of that question would require a somewhat categorical assertion which I am sure the right hon. Gentleman would not expect me to make. So far as increased production is concerned, the additional capacity will be about 1½ million tons per annum, which represents a 10 per cent. increase on existing capacity. The difficulty is that this will not come into effect until towards the end of 1965 and, therefore, this is looking even farther ahead than that.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that adequate supplies of cement will be available in the North-West for the two new towns which have recently been announced?

Mr. Boyden

We are not satisfied with cement production generally. I should require notice of that question.