HC Deb 04 June 1942 vol 380 c814
68. Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many vehicles there are on the road being driven by producer-gas; and whether he can make a statement as to the success or failure of producer-gas for road vehicles?

Mr. Noel-Baker

In answer to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 19th May to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd). In answer to the second part, it would be unfair to judge the success or failure of producer-gas by the results so far achieved. Compared with engines driven by petrol or diesel oil, it has certain disadvantages; but the results have been sufficiently encouraging to enable the Government to decide that it is the best alternative to petrol for ordinary commercial transport, and that, in view of the need for stringent economy in imported fuel, its use shall be considerably extended.