§ Mrs. Ewingasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will now establish a smelter at Invergordon to provide 650 jobs;
(2) if he will make a statement on the European Free Trade Association Ministerial Meeting held in London on 9th May and 10th May; and what changes have been made following these meetings in his plans to announce his decision on the British aluminium project.
§ Mr. DellAt their meeting in London on 9th and 10th May Ministers discussedinter alia the impact on E.F.T.A. trade of the proposed expansion of aluminium smelting capacity in the United Kingdom with the assistance of Government aids available under general legislation and the effects which this could have on Norwegian exports.
At the request of the E.F.T.A. Council the United Kingdom and Norwegian Governments agreed to have urgent further bilateral talks on this topic and to report to the Council. My right hon. Friend is in Oslo today for a discussion with the Norwegian Minister of Commerce and Shipping.
E.F.T.A. Ministers were assured that Her Majesty's Government will take full account of these talks in arriving at decisions on the British proposals. Meanwhile negotiations with the aluminium companies concerned are still in progress.