§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware of the need for an adequate supply of cement for the building and construction industries; and whether he will make a statement on Government policy.
§ Mr. BoydenSince last autumn the Department has been discussing with the cement manufacturers the future level of demand for cement and their plans for increasing manufacturing capacity. New capacity is being provided at Westbury in Wiltshire, Weardale in County Durham, at Tunstead in Derbyshire, and Padeswood in Flintshire. The first two are expected to be in production by the autumn of 1965, and the second two by about the end of the year.
There are further plans for future extensions, but these are still subject to planning or other considerations and it is not yet possible to give specific dates for their operation or capacity. As a temporary measure six disused kilns in Kent are being brought back into use and supplies of cement clinker for grinding are being imported by the industry.
We are, however worried about possible shortages in the next few months.