HC Deb 27 March 1945 vol 409 cc1286-7
3. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what plans are being prepared by his Department for the development of coal by-product industries and, in particular, fuel from coal in the post-war period.

Mr. Tom Smith

My Department is worKinģ in close collaboration with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in regard to the further development of processes for the extraction of oil from coal. Much progress has in fact taken place during the war. Byproducts from coal are already produced on a large scale by the carbonisation industries, and the production of coal tar oil, as a substitute for imported liquid fuel, has been expanded during the war from less than 100,000 tons to over 100,000 tons.

Mr. Griffiths

Has the Department prepared its own plan for national development in this matter?

Mr. Smith

I could not give my hon. Friend any assurance on the point at the moment.