§ 14. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any statement to make on the supply of and distribution of cement in the Province.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Tom Pendry)I met representatives of Blue Circle Ltd. on 28th November and expressed my concern at the recent acute shortage of cement in Northern Ireland and at the delay in implementing plans for new plant to cover longer term needs. As a result, the company is studying both problems urgently and is currently discussing its proposals for their solution with the interested parties. I am glad to be able to tell the House that production is now back to normal.
In addition, at my meeting I obtained the company's agreement to the creation of a joint working group within the Northern Ireland construction industry advisory council to monitor and progress plans for the adequate supply of cement in Northern Ireland. The construction industry and the trade unions, I am glad to say, have agreed to take part.
§ Mr. PowellIs it not unsatisfactory that the supply of cement in the Province should be entirely dependent upon a single company? Should not the provision of a second independent source of cement in the Province be considered when we realise that the construction industry and other industries are constantly vulnerable to interruption as long as the supply is in monopoly hands?
§ Mr. PendryI am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will recognise that this is a step forward. The Government have not closed any option for the future. However, we thought that this would be the best way forward in the short term. I think that, with this committee meeting possibly in two weeks, we should give it the opportunity to do the job.
§ Mr. HefferIs my hon. Friend aware that the Labour Party, in its document on construction for the future in Britain, clearly laid down that there should be some measure of public ownership in the industry in order that there should be genuine competition in which the State would be involved?
§ Mr. PendryThat option also is not closed permanently. I answer as I answered the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell)—namely, that in the short-term we feel that this is the best way forward. I hope that all will recognise that this is new and imaginative. We have the trade unions and the employers in the construction industry sitting down together, and we hope that we shall be able to make some progress.