asked the Minister of Supply what was the average tonnage of ironstone quarried in North Oxfordshire in 1940-45; and what tonnage was quarried in 1949.

The average tonnage of ironstone quarried in North Oxfordshire in the years 1940-45 inclusive was 1.200,000 tons a year. In 1949 the tonnage quarried was 800,000.

Have the Government any plans to reduce unemployment still further by quarrying this ironstone in Oxfordshire?

We do not quarry this ironstone. It is quarried by the iron and steel industry. I do not know whether the hon. Member is anxious that we should take responsibility for it as soon as possible.