§ 5. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Power what official assistance he is giving to the technique of spray steel making; and if he will make a statement.
§ 23. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Power if, in the national interest, he will provide facilities for a pilot spray steel making plant at Millom in Cumberland.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. Reginald Freeson)I cannot at present add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Symonds) on 14th February.—[Vol. 741, c. 50.]
§ Mr. MartenNevertheless, will the hon. Gentleman dissociate himself from the utterly ossifying attitude of the Iron and Steel Board in its recent decision to protect traditional steel-making methods from this new break-through of spray steel making put forward by Millom, and recognise that commercial plant for this must be got going quickly if Britain is to maintain her lead in this breakthrough?
§ Mr. FreesonCertainly this is a remarkably good break-through, and every credit is due to the people associated with it, including the British Iron and Steel Research Association, and Millom. I will not follow the adjectival phraseology that we have just had. I assure the hon Gentleman that the Board has not yet reached a decision.
§ Mr. RidleyIs the Minister aware that for the proper commercial development of our affairs it is vital that this company should be allowed to go ahead with this project? Is he further aware that 1405 his right hon. Friend's intention to treat the private sector on all fours with the public sector of the steel industry is open to doubt unless, in this vital instance, he is prepared to make certain that Millom is given permission to go ahead with this development?
§ Mr. FreesonIt would be quite wrong for me to enter into a discussion on something on which we are awaiting recommendations from the Board.
§ Mr. TinnWill my hon. Friend assure us that in considering future proposals for the reorganisation of the industry he will bear in mind the possibly revolutionary implications of this process for small and medium-sized plant?
§ Mr. FreesonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. RidleyDue to the unsatisfactory nature of that Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.