HC Deb 22 April 1969 vol 782 cc229-30
3. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proposals he has for the utilisation of industrial waste materials for the building industry.

Mr. Mellish

As a result of continuing work by the Building Research Station and other bodies, the building industry uses substantial and increasing quantities of aggregates derived from industrial waste, amounting in some cases to almost the entire output. Large quantities are used also in civil engineering. The station is helping to promote the use of these materials.

Mrs. Short

I thank my right hon Friend for that reply. Would he not agree that as two nationalised industries, the National Coal Board and the C.E.G.B., are the largest producers of industrial waste, it would be a good idea to initiate discussions with them to ensure that the waste materials are used in the national interest?

Mr. Mellish

I understand that there are consultations going on in the sense for which my hon. Friend asks. I understand that an appreciable amount of colliery shale is processed into aggregate. There are difficulties about existing tips. I gather that there is an enormous quantity. It is unlikely, I am advised, that the use of this material in construction can make a dramatic contribution to their removal.