§ 30. Mr. E. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government contemplate taking steps to secure that the maximum possible amount of oil be extracted from coal mined in Great Britain?
§ Captain CrookshankI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 8th December last to a question by the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stewart).
§ Mr. BateyIn the answer which was given in December last there was no hope of anything being done. Will the Minister say to-day whether the Government are taking steps to set up a plant for the extraction of oil from coal?
§ Captain CrookshankI cannot say about that to-day, but if the hon. Member looks at the reply to which I have referred he will see the present position.
§ Mr. BateyIf the Minister cannot say anything to-day, can he tell us when he will be able to say anything?
§ Captain CrookshankOh, no.