HC Deb 17 October 1939 vol 352 cc651-2
2. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement regarding the use of substitutes for petrol, particularly with regard to methane; and whether he has considered the possibility of utilising the immense cannel deposits for the production of oil?

7 Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he is aware of the urgent need for a statement to be made as to the Government's intentions with regard to alternative motive power for transport; what action he has taken, or intends to take, in order to bring about a wider utilisation of home-produced fuel, and towards the planning of fuel utilisation; has he yet received the report of the Glasgow transport engineers on the Highland Transport Company's gas-producer omnibus service; and, if so, what action is to be taken on the report;

(2) whether he will immediately call a conference of the Transport Producer-Gas Makers' Association, the Fuel Research Station, the Institute of Fuel, and specialised engineers in order that immediate action can be taken and consideration given to the best methods to manufacture gas-producers and equipment for the purpose of converting petrol-driven vehicles;

(3) what steps have been taken to develop low-temperature carbonisation in conjunction with producer-gas as the most economic method of producing from coal fuel for internal-combustion engines; and will he consider the organising of several State factories in co-operation with the Fuel Research Station, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Fuel for the purpose of securing as soon as possible the maximum requirements in order to convert transport to producer-gas or other alternative motive power?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

Mr. Edwards

When does the hon. Gentleman expect to be able to make a statement?

Mr. Lloyd

Very shortly.

Mr. E. Smith

Owing to the unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall deal with this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity?

Sir Robert Young

If a question is put down for to-morrow, will the hon. Gentleman be able to answer it?

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