23. Mr. C. P. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether tests have been carried out on behalf of his Department on the low-temperature carbonisation of North Wales coal; and, if so, the yield of tar oils obtained?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)No tests have as yet been carried out on the low temperature carbonisation of North Wales coal.
§ 25 and 26. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he can give details of results of tests carried out at the fuel research station on the low-temperature carbonisation of coal from the Somerset coalfield; and the names of the collieries from which the coal was obtained, with the yield of oils, gas, and carbon residue obtained from each ton of coal treated;
(2) whether he can give details of the results of the tests carried out at the fuel research station on the low-temperature carbonisation of coal from the South Wales coalfield; and will he give the names of the collieries from which the coal was obtained, with the yield of oils, gas, and carbon residue obtained from each ton of coal treated?
§ Commodore KINGThe results of tests of low-temperature carbonisation of coals from various coalfields are published from time to time by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The laboratory results already published for South Wales' coals will be found in Technical Papers Nos. 1 and 10 of the Fuel Research Board, which should be read in the light of information contained in the Report of the Fuel Research Board for the years 1920–1921, Second Section. Some large scale results for a South Wales coal are contained in a report by the Director of Fuel Research on the Freeman Multiple Retort. The results of large scale tests of a Somerset coal are being prepared for publication. No summary of the results of such tests could be given without technical particulars of 971 the kind contained in these reports, since such particulars are necessary for the correct interpretation of the results.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of the fact that this investigation as it is called into the Bergius system is simply a means of intimidating the progress of the British plants now on a commercial scale?
§ Commodore KINGThe research is for the benefit of the coal industry.
§ Mr. HARDIEYes, but is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the fact that we have commercial plant working in this country, and the excuse has always been that we are getting something from the Bergius system or somewhere else, so as to keep back British interests and to help the combined financial interests of Germany and the combines in this country?