§ 43. Mr. WRIGHTasked the Minister of Munitions whether in 1915 and 1917 2368 proposals were made by colliery and other companies and persons to erect retorts in England and Scotland for the production of oil from cannel and batts, after tests of the material which were satisfactory to the Ministry had been made, on some or other of the following terms: at the expense of those making the proposal; subject to an advance by the Government of a proportion of the necessary capital, such advance to be repaid by oil delivered; and, subject to the Government erecting suitable retorts, such retorts to be paid for and taken over by the company after a short term of years; if so, whether these proposals, or any of them, were accepted, and, if not, will he state the reason; and whether information as to these proposals, and the reasons why they were not accepted, has been laid before Lord Crewe's Committee?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe answer to the first part of the question is, Yes, Sir. All the cases were carefully considered, and in two cases negotiations reached an advanced stage. The proposals were placed before His Majesty's Treasury, who, however, were not prepared to sanction the necessary expenditure. Information as to these proposals and the reasons why they were not accepted have been laid before Lord Crewe's Committee.