Captain A. Evansasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence if he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the report of the Calcium Carbide Factory Investigation Committee; and whether it will be possible to make arrangements to encourage the erection of such a factory in South Wales?
§ Sir T. InskipYes, Sir. The committee, after full consideration of a number of schemes submitted to them594W for the production of calcium carbide and allied products in the United Kingdom, recommended the scheme submitted to them by the British Oxygen Company. This scheme provides for the erection of two factories, one at Port Talbot in South Wales, the other at Corpach in the West Highlands. The company have assured me that pending their obtaining the necessary powers for the Corpach factory they intend to proceed at once with the erection of the factory at Port Talbot. On this basis the scheme is regarded by the Government as satisfactory and I understand that the company are taking the necessary steps to re-introduce the Caledonian Water Power Bill.