§ 72. Mr. G. HALLasked the Secretary for Mines if he will inform the House of the progress made, if any, in the experiments in low carbonisation of coal during the past year?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)It is impossible within the limits of an answer to a question to give an account of the progress made in low-temperature carbonisation of coal. A full progress Report is being written for publication with the Annual Report of the Fuel Research Board. Several commercial plants, of different types, have started working during the year, and others are approaching completion; it is too early yet to form an opinion as to their success.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many commercial plants, other than those under the Government, have been set up, and how many of those set up have been a commercial success?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any experiments on these lines were carried on in Germany last year?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI should require notice of the last supplementary question. With regard to the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Paling), I shall be glad to give him all the information I can if he will put down a question.