In reply to Sl@te Head:
It does seem ridiculous at first glance but it's like everything now: money talks, so the cheapest option is taken. I think a bit more credibility could have been given to their argument if they had substituted the still-working Penrhyn (Bethesda) quarry for Llanberis, although if they had ended up actually using that slate then I'm sure a (non) story would have been written about the slate being from the wrong valley, never mind the wrong country.
Saying that, even the production of the Penrhyn slate has changed: most (all?) Is now sawn instead of being riven (split along its natural grain). This obviously takes less manpower (cheaper for the company) and is supposed to be less wasteful as it gives more usable finished product, even though it may be thought that the width of the saw blades would produce waste material. I don't know how the sawn slate compares to the riven slate in performance, appearance, workability, durability etc. - nor how the Spanish slate compares.
Going back to the story in the OP, I wonder what is happening to the existing slates that are on the roofs? Many/most of them must be able to be reused but it is probably just a blanket statement in the contract to buy new slate for all the houses.
Most houses that get re-roofed will use the same slates, with maybe just having to buy a few replacements, so surely this could be an option for these houses? The money saved could be used to buy Penrhyn slates for any needed replacements. Am I being cynical is thinking that the Spanish option has been taken as there is bit of money to be made for someone in selling the old slates?
Post edited at 11:26