83. Captain Evansasked the Secretary for Mines whether any tests have been made by the Government of the Fischer-Tropsch process of extracting oil from coal; and whether he has any information concerning the erection of a plant in South Wales comparable to Billingham but employing this process?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)The Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has been investigating the general reactions of the Fischer synthesis in the course of its normal programme, but in the absence of any plant in this country there has been no opportunity to conduct a test upon the Fischer-Tropsch process. The answer to the second part of the question is—No, Sir.
Captain EvansIs it the intention of His Majesty's Government to make what arrangements are necessary to have this scheme tested under commercial auspices in South Wales?
§ Captain CrookshankAs I have just said, there is no plant, and as there is no plant there cannot be any test.
Captain EvansI am afraid that the Secretary for Mines has misunderstood me. I want to ask whether His Majesty's Government would make what arrangements are necessary for the establishment of such plant?