HC Deb 19 April 1937 vol 322 cc1433-5
Mr. G. Hall

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the intentions of the Government in relation to the further development of oil from coal?

Captain Crookshank

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have given much attention for a long time past to the possibility of assisting the development of oil from coal processes, and they have afforded tangible assistance by means of the preference under the British Hydrocarbon Oils Production Act, 1934. As regards the Bergius and other processes, the information at present available to the Government is not sufficient to enable them to reach a final conclusion as to the possibilities of commercial success, although it indicates that the expenditure would be very high in relation to the amount of employment which could be provided.

Considerations of National Defence also arise in this connection, but the Government have not yet been able to conclude their examination of them. They realise, however, that the possibility of obtaining substantial supplies of oil from coal has excited much public interest, and they have therefore decided to seek the advice of a committee, which will be constituted as a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. This committee will be asked to consider and examine the various processes for the production of oil from coal and certain other materials indigenous to this country, and to report on their economic possibilities and on the advantages to be obtained by way of security of oil supplies in emergency.

Mr. Hall

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give us the names of the members of this Committee and the number, and will he keep in mind the advisability of appointing persons who are not in any way financially interested in the production of oil or in its distribution; and will there be someone on the Committee able to deal with the various grades of coal and their suitability for this purpose?

Captain Crookshank

Yes; I think all those things, the hon. Gentleman can take it, will be borne in mind. It will only be a small Committee, but I cannot go farther than that now.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that in a matter of this importance it was wise on the part of the Government to set up a Sub-Committee which has to report to the Committee of Imperial Defence? What is to be the process? Will the Committee of Imperial Defence then report to the Government, and would it not be more appropriate in the circumstances to set up an independent Committee which might have reported to the Government direct?

Captain Crookshank

The hon. Gentleman asks if the action of the Government is wise. He can take it from me that it is, in this and in every other instance.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not recognise that in setting up a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence the natural interpretation is that this question is regarded as one wholly associated with war preparation and defence, whereas it has other aspects equally important?

Captain Crookshank

Yes, and if the hon. Gentleman reads the reply which I have given, he will see that those aspects are already covered by the terms of reference.