§ 1. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Secretary for Mines what further measures have been taken to promote research into the problems of extracting oil from coal, following upon the report of the Falmouth Committee; and whether any steps have been taken, or are contemplated, to establish a plant to develop the Fisher-Tropsch process in this country?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 14th March to a question by the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins).
§ Mr. GriffithsHave the Government made any proposals for the purpose of carrying out the recommendations of the report?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir. That rests with private enterprise. What the Government did was to carry out the principal recommendation by extending the guaranteed preference under the Finance Act last year.
§ Mr. DaltonHave the Government left the matter entirely to private enterprise?
§ Captain CrookshankThe House gave a guaranteed preference for a large number of years, which represents great assistance to any people undertaking this work.