§ 14. Mr. N. MACLEAN(for Mr. KIRK-WOOD) asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the proposal of Lanarkshire firms to construct coke-oven plants at blast furnaces on condition that they can obtain a market for gas as a by-product; and will he arrange a conference between the firms concerned and Lanarkshire company gas undertakings for the purpose of securing an agreement which would co-ordinate the production of pig iron and gas in that area?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I am aware of the proposal to which the hon. Member refers. I understand also that an offer has been made to sell the surplus gas, amounting to 10 million cubic feet a day, to the Glasgow Corporation, but that the corporation has not seen its way to accept this offer. Apart from the 176 corporation, the Lanarkshire gas companies, even if they were to purchase their entire requirements, could only take altogether a little more than one million cubic feet per day from the coke-oven owners. In these circumstances, it does not appear that the conference suggested by my hon. Friend would serve any useful purpose.