§ 7. Mr. Laneasked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the additional potential use of coal through the establishment of new aluminium smelters in Great Britain.
§ 29. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the extent to which, and areas in which, the plans for pit closures will be affected by the establishment of new aluminium smelters in the development areas.
§ Mr. FreesonI would ask the hon. Gentlemen to await the statement which has been promised by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. LaneCould the hon. Gentleman urge his colleagues to announce a decision as soon as possible, because the continuing uncertainty is damaging?
§ Mr. FreesonI have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will note the hon. Gentleman's observation.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan my hon. Friend give an idea when this long delayed statement, on admittedly an intricate problem, will be made, and can he say at this juncture how many aluminium smelters there will be, where they will be sited, and how they will be fuelled?
§ Mr. FreesonAll the points in that question would not be for me to answer today. It will be a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and the timing of such a statement will also be a matter for him, not for me.
§ Mr. MonroWhy cannot the hon. Gentleman answer today? Are the Government actively supporting the application of Alcan to have a coal-fired smelter at Invergordon?
§ Mr. FreesonI can only repeat that this is not a matter for me or for my Department. Hon. Gentlemen will have to await the statement by the President of the Board of Trade.