51. Mr. Edwardsasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, the amount of money spent by the Government during the last year on fuel research and the total amount spent since the establishment of the Fuel Research Board?
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Earl Winterton)The total net expenditure from the vote of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on fuel research and on the Physical and Chemical Survey of the National Coal Resources in the financial year ending 31st March, 1937, was £92,881. The estimated cost of services by other Departments in that year (including cost of erection and maintenance of buildings, etc., rates, postage and stationery) was £10,950. Corresponding figures for the period of 20 years from 1st April, 1917 (the year in which the Fuel Research Board was appointed), to 31st March, 1937, are £1,270,787 and £309,699 respectively, including the capital expenditure incurred in the erection and equipment of the Fuel Research Station, East Greenwich, and of extensions thereto.
Mr. EdwardsDo these figures include their own researches into the production of oil from coal; and, if so, can we have an assurance that the information they have may be placed at the disposal of the Falmouth Committee?
§ Earl WintertonThis is a very complicated question, as the hon. Gentleman knows. It really rests between two Departments. As regards the first part of the question, I should have notice. As regards the second part, it should be properly addressed to the Secretary for Mines; though I think the answer would be most emphatically in the affirmative.