HC Deb 15 July 1969 vol 787 cc392-3
19. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what percentage of the 40 per cent. of fly-ash used by the construction industry comes from Scotland; and what areas it comes from.

Mr. John Silkin

About 10 per cent. It is produced in Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Kincardineshire, Fife and Edinburgh.

Mr. Eadie

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the miners believe that not enough publicity is given to what could be described as derivatives coming from coal-fired stations and that his statement today will certainly be welcomed by them?

Mr. Silkin

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, and I congratulate him on the vigour with which he has pursued this subject.

Sir R. Russell

Can the Minister tell us what fly-ash is?

Mr. Silkin

Fly-ash—P.F.A.—is produced by the electricity generating stations using ground coal blown on to the boilers, which produces a powdered ash.