36. Mr. A. RAMSAYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will 809 state the policy of the Government in regard to the production of oil from coal by means of the process of hydrogenation?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).
Mr. RAMSAYWill my hon. Friend lay papers before the House giving the report of the Fuel Research Board on this matter, or, alternatively, will he rereive a deputation of Members of the House and disclose to them the facts in possession of the Department?
§ Mr. BROWNI can give no pledge of that kind. I am quite willing to receive a deputation at any time of Members of the House.
Mr. RAMSAYAs I am sure my hon. Friend does not wish to waste the time of the House, may I ask what is the good of a deputation going to him if he does not disclose to them the facts in his possession?
§ Mr. BROWNThere may be many considerations, other than those in the mind of my hon. Friend which would make a deputation of very great value.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLHave the Government come to a definite decision upon this matter?
§ Mr. BROWNWith regard to that question, I can add nothing to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) asked:
Have the Government any policy at all on the matter? "—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th November, 1932, Col. 632, Vol. 272.]and my right hon. Friend "indicated assent."