§ 36. Mr. STOREYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to set up an inquiry into the advisability of providing a gas grid for the North-East Coast as suggested by a joint committee of the north-east sections of the Institute of Chemistry, the Chemical Society, and the Society of Chemical Industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe question of the possible disposal of coke oven gas for towns' purposes is primarily a matter for the interests concerned, and I am informed that, since the preparation of the report of the committee to which my hon. Friend refers, further contracts for the sale of coke oven gas to gas undertakings have been announced.
§ Mr. STOREYIs my right hon. Friend aware that a large quantity of coke oven gas produced in the county of Durham is not used, and does he not think it worth while to make it available to industry?
Miss WARDDoes not my right hon. Friend think it a good thing to ask the Commissioner whether he would encourage the production of this material?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am quite ready to communicate with the Commissioner on the subject. For the information for which my hon. Friend asks, I think he had better give me notice.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill not the proposed gas grid for the North-East Coast be a contributory factor in dealing with the unemployment problem of that area?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not know what they are going to do. When I know, I shall be better able to answer the question.