3. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary for Mines the number of vehicles using raw coal or coke, high- or low-pressure coal-gas, and producer-gas, respectively, with the total number of vehicles which have now been converted for the consumption of alternative fuels to petrol?
§ Mr. GrenfellReturns furnished by the Ministry of Transport show that at the beginning of September, 1940, 1,038 steam road vehicles were in use, while at least 650 goods and other vehicles were running on producer gas. I regret that complete returns are not available for the number of vehicles using coal gas as a fuel, but such information as is in my possession indicates that, in addition to those already mentioned, at least 1,500 vehicles were running on other home-produced fuels, the greater part of which employed coal gas as a means of propulsion. Over 3,000 vehicles are, therefore, now using home-produced fuel, and the number of conversions continues steadily to increase.
Mr. AdamsIn view of the great national importance of this matter, are any special steps being taken by the Ministry to encourage the use of alternative fuels?
§ Mr. GrenfellYes, Sir. We are encouraging it, and we shall be glad to see the extension of the use of home-produced fuel, but it is not simply a matter of producing fuel. There is also the question of the construction of vehicles, which goes beyond the scope of my Department. We 224 are engaged on it, and I hope to be able to make a fuller report on this subject as soon as possible.
§ Sir Joseph NallDoes the Minister appreciate that the increase will be even greater if the Ministry of Transport adopt a more common-sense attitude?
§ Mr. GrenfellI am not the judge of the Ministry of Transport.