§ 67. Mr. HARDIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that we are dependent on outside sources for a supply of liquid fuel, he will consider the question of immediately developing the manufacture of industrial alcohol in this country?
§ Viscount WOLMERThis question is discussed in the Interim Memorandum and Second Memorandum by the Fuel Research Board on Fuel for Motor Transport, published by His Majesty's Stationery Office in 1920 and 1921 respectively. Investigations by the Fuel Research Board are still proceeding with a view to discovering a suitable method of manufacturing alcohol from materials available in this country and in the Empire.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs not the Noble Lord aware that, with the knowledge that we have now, there is no need for any further investigation, but that we can go on and make industrial alcohol; and will his Department, in the interests of the trade of this country, see that the plant is allowed to work continuously instead of intermittently, and thereby make this country the equal of other countries in this respect?
§ Viscount WOLMERI am sorry to say that the Fuel Research Board do not agree with the views of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HARDIEI am not asking the Fuel Research Board, but am asking the Board of Trade if they cannot take steps, seeing that they know that this plant is in existence for the purpose of making industrial alcohol, and is only prevented from making it in large quantities by the stupid system which prevails.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe can discuss that this afternoon.