Aluminium Smelter

HC Deb 22 May 1968 vol 765 cc512-4

10. Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the siting of an aluminium smelter in Scotland.

40. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now announce his decision on the siting of an aluminium smelter in Scotland.

44. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to announce the siting of an aluminium smelter in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)

I cannot yet add to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Board of Trade, during the debate on the Adjournment on 16th May.

Mr. Monro

Since the Prime Minister's optimistic statement last September, there seems to have been nothing but disappointment and uncertainty for Inver-gordon. Can the Secretary of State say how the negotiations are going with E.F.T.A. and when he hopes to be able to make a definite statement?

Mr. Ross

I do not think there is disappointment. There may well have been uncertainty. What the hon. Gentleman and others fail to appreciate is the magnitude of the projects, the complexity of the negotiations, and the number of people involved. I can only reiterate that a statement will be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not beyond the wit of man to erect an aluminium smelter at Invergordon or anywhere else quite quickly, provided the decision and the will do so is there? Does the statement by the Prime Minister on 9th May that he has been in day-to-day touch with the problem perhaps give some indication why this terrible delay has taken place?

Mr. Ross

It is fairly obvious that the hon. Gentleman has not even gone into the problems. He has not considered the recent negotiations and the concern of people internationally concerning this matter, concern which we hope to get over.

Mr. Adam Hunter

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people in Scotland still feel that the projected Aloan smelter should go to Invergordon in the hope that the mining industry might derive some benefit?

Mr. Ross

My hon. Friend should know that the Minister of State, Board of Trade, in the debate which I mentioned, said that Alcan had agreed to the Government's request to consider the suitability of alternative sites in North-East England. The reason for that is so that they would be adjacent to the coal they were to use.

Mr. Noble

Though we all appreciate the difficult international negotiations that are going on, we also realise the particular uncertainty that is felt in the Dingwell area. Could not the Government announce that one smelter at least will go to that area?

Mr. Ross

It is much tidier to wait —I hope not that much longer—and get the announcement about the whole position. I, too, suffer from the measure of uncertainty, but I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that there is no need to express disappointment at this stage.

Mr. William Hamilton

Does my right hon. Friend agree that if this project had been formulated in the years between 1951 and 1964 it might have been in production now? Can my right hon. Friend say what the time lag will be between the completion of the negotiations with our EFTA partners and the announcement of a decision in this House?

Mr. Ross

I hope very little indeed. My hon. Friend should appreciate that the negotiations are very complex. It is not just a matter of the international aspects, but aspects relating to the provision of finance, services, power and all the rest. A considerable effort will be made to cut to the absolute minimum any delays which will be involved.

Mr. Alasdair Mackenzie

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that grave concern is felt at Invergordon at the delay in making an announcement? Is he further aware that many people who have been unemployed for the past year have remained at Invergordon in the hope that the smelter would be coming along? For their sake, will my right hon. Friend do his utmost to expedite a decision, if possible before the Whitsun Recess?

Mr. Ross

I can understand and appreciate the feelings in Invergordon. As the hon. Gentleman rightly said, this Government have created the hope. It is this Government's direct initiative which has created the opportunity. The hon. Gentleman can smile. I hope that before we are finished the people who have reason to be happy and smile will be the people of Invergordon.

33. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when building of the aluminium smelter will begin; when it will be completed; and how many it will employ when fully operational.

Mr. Ross

My hon. Friend must await the announcement of the Government's decisions on new smelting capacity, on which these matters naturally depend.

Mr. Hamilton

Yes, that is just what I meant.