§ 19. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the investment in the Ancid process for the Phurnacite plant in Aberaman, Aberdare.
§ Mr. John MooreThe NCB has explored with the Government the possibility of special financial assistance on noncommercial terms to enable it to replace the two oldest of the six batteries of the phurnacite plant, owned by National Smokeless Fuels Limited at Aberaman, which are now nearly at the end of their useful lives. The cost might be some £36 million, of which about £5.5 million might be met by regional development grants.
After the most careful consideration, the Government have decided against giving special assistance, bearing in mind that there are other ways of securing the continued production of Phurnacite.