§ 24. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made with the experiments on the Bergius system of coal treatment?
§ Commodore KINGSteady progress is being made at the Fuel Research Station with experiments on the Bergius process along the lines mentioned by the President of the Board of Education in his reply to the hon. Member on the 1st December last. The work being done is of a fundamental nature, and is not being carried out from the point of view of immediate commercial application. The results of the investigations will he published in due course.
§ Mr. HARDIEHas the Department any information or indication as to the quality of the oil obtained?
§ Commodore KINGI must have notice of that question.
§ Mr. HARDIEAs according to the statement just made, it does not seem that anything is going to come very soon, is this being used to keep back improved systems that have been working in the British Isles against German interests, which have been brought in through the great chemical merger?
§ Commodore KINGThe whole effort of the Fuel Research Board is to try to obtain the best methods possible for the benefit of the British industry.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs that the reason for keeping back proved British systems?
§ Commodore KINGI do not admit that there is any truth in such a suggestion.
§ Mr. HARDIEIf I put down a question asking for a return of these plants that are commercially proved in this country, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an answer?
§ Commodore KINGYes, if it is in my power.