§ 39. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Secretary for Mines how many different methods of extracting oil from coal have been investigated by his Department in each of the last 10 years; and whether any new methods have been brought to his notice during the last 12 months?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)During the last 10 years a very large number of processes for the extraction of oil from coal have been brought to the notice of my Department, most of them in such an early stage of development that investigation was impracticable. Those which reached the necessary stage have been investigated if the promoters wished. Information about one process in a very early stage of development has been supplied to my Department in the last year.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the hon. Gentleman's Department considering the advisability of developing the oil-from-coal process during war time?
§ Mr. EdwardsIs the hon. Gentleman unable to give the precise number that have been investigated?