HC Deb 31 January 1967 vol 740 cc232-4
19. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement on the site chosen to build the proposed new Royal Mint; and if he will give an estimate of when the Mint will be in operation and how many persons will be employed by it.

56. Mr. Anderson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration is being given in the siting of a new Royal Mint to the claims of Wales as a suitable venue; whether ordnance factory sites have been considered; and whether, in view of the imminent closure of the Royal Naval Propellant Factory at Caerwent and the considerable acreage of land owned there by Her Majesty's Government, consideration will be given to its use as a site for the Royal Mint.

57. Mr. Abse

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the serious congestion of the existing buildings of the Royal Mint and the need for expansion in the light of intended change to decimal coinage, what consideration is being given to the siting of a new Royal Mint in Wales; and whether, in considering any possible site, account will be taken of suitable sites in Monmouthshire where land is already owned by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Diamond

The difficult issues involved are under consideration but no decisions have been taken.

Mr. Taylor

Before arriving at a decision, will the right hon. Gentleman look closely at the Act of Union of 1707, which states clearly that Scotland joined with England only on the strict understanding that the Mint would be continued? Will he also bear in mind that unemployment in Scotland is now increasing at twice the rate for the rest of the country?

Mr. Diamond

I assure the hon. Member that all relevant matters will be taken into account, and, on his special request, the first matter which he has mentioned.

Mr. Anderson

Will my right hon. Friend similarly ensure that the claims of Monmouthshire are not overlooked in the light of its high unemployment figures and its easy communications, including the M4, the attractiveness of the area and the large amount of vacant land owned by the Government such as at Caerwent?

Mr. Diamond

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me these further matters for consideration.

Mr. Abse

Will my right hon. Friend, without having to turn back to past centuries, look at the present conditions in Wales and note its great metallurgical tradition and, in particular, the special claims of the fine new town of Cwmbran, which can provide all the facilities which could possibly be needed?

Mr. Diamond

Nobody could be more impressed than I am with the relevance and weight of these various arguments.

Mr. David Steel

Will the Chief Secretary study the Government's plans for industrial development of the Borders of Scotland and note how the employment structure of the Mint would be eminently suitable for this part of the country?

Mr. Diamond

Notwithstanding what is becoming an apparent coincidence between the arguments from the respective constituencies, yes, Sir.