PROPOSED CARBIDE FACTORY

Evening Star, Issue 22596, 13 March 1937, Page 17

PROPOSED CARBIDE FACTORY

THE HIGHLAND SCHEME BILL REJECTED BY COMMONS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, March 11. In the House of Commons the second reading of the Caledonian Power Bui, which sought to empower an industrial company to establish a factory in the Highlands of Scotland to manufacture calcium carbide with hydraulic power, was rejected by 188 votes to 140. The decision was left to the free vote of the House. Among those voting with the minority were three Cabinet Ministers. For the Opposition it was claimed that carbide could be generated as cheaply from coal as from water. It was suggested that all the ingredients required in the making of carbide were to he found elsewhere, for example, South Wales. The Secretary for Scotland, Mr Walter Elliot; in supporting the Bill, said there could be no division of opinion with regard to the advantage of establishing the industry. If the House decided not to proceed with the Bill the problem remained, and the Government would take up the question forthwith as how best this country could be provided with a supply of carhide and where a supply should, be obtained. It might well be that in such circumstances the Highland site would be chosen.