§ 21. Colonel APPLINasked the Secretary for Mines whether any further experiments have been made in this 233 country in the extraction of oil from coal, and with what results; whether British interests are represented in the experiments now being carried out in Germany; and to what extent?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl)My right hon. Friend has been asked to reply to this question. Experiments in the extraction of oil from coal by carbonisation methods are being actively pursued in this country, both at the Fuel Research Station and by a number of firms and individuals. Extensive experiments on the production of oil by the so-called Bergin method of hydrogenating coal are being carried on in Germany. A number of British firms are represented in these experiments, and, by agreement, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research obtain full information as to results and a voice in determining the course the experiments are to take. Experiments on this and other processes are also being carried out in this country. It is too early to make any statement as to results.