HC Deb 17 November 1938 vol 341 cc1051-2
56. Mr. Chorlton

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the present progress with the engines using fine coal dust as a fuel; whether he has any information as to the success of the Schichau engine; and what is the present position of development in this country?

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Earl Winterton)

I can add little to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 26th July. The Fuel Research Station is pressing on with its work on the basic problems, particularly those concerned with the wear of cylinder liners, piston rings, etc., due to the abrasive action of the ash and to the chemical composition and degree of fineness of the coal. The conversion of the diesel engine to which I referred in July has now been so far completed that experimental operation on powdered coal has been begun. No authentic information about the success of the Schichau engine has been received. I am not aware of any developments in this country apart from the work in progress at the Fuel Research Station.

Mr. Chorlton

In view of the importance of this research work to the coal industry, will not the Noble Lord accelerate the development of the use of coal dust by bringing other people into action in regard to the necessary research?

Earl Winterton

I do not think, perhaps, that my hon. Friend is aware of what constitutes the work of this Department. It is essentially a research Department. As representing it in this House I have gone into the matter personally, and I am convinced that everything is being done in the work of this particular Department.

Mr. Chorlton

As no other firms are brought into the research work on this particular subject, as they used to be, and it is all kept in. one Department, will it not go slower than if a number of other people were brought into it?

Earl Winterton

The Department has at its disposal any information which is obtained by private firms or in other ways, and it is always ready to make use of that information.