§ 80. Mr. WRIGHTasked the Minister of Munitions if he will state what is the estimated tonnage of cannels, shales, jacks, batts, and gees now lying on the pit-heaps and being daily brought to the 1818 pit-head, all of which are capable of oil production and produce from 16 to 60 gallons of oil to the ton; and what is the number of retorts available to deal with this tonnage?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe quantity of cannels, jacks, and the like material capable of producing more than 20 gallons of oil per ton at present being brought to the pitheads amounts to about 2,000 tons per day. The quantity of similar material of as high a grade lying on the pitheads is inconsiderable. No estimate can be given of the quantity of less valuable material of the like nature at present being brought to pithead or lying on the pithead.
The quantity of shale daily brought to the surface is 8,876 tons. None is lying on the pitheads except what is kept as a working reserve. The Minister of Munitions has no difficulty in dealing with all the material available.
§ Mr. WRIGHTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the figures he has just given agree with the figures of the Petroleum Research Committee's Report?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYCertainly. I am glad to say that the Report of Lord Crowe's Committee has been laid as a White Paper, and I hope my hon. Friend will read it and study it.
§ Captain BARNETTIs this material being utilised at the gas works?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYAt present it is being used at the gas works.