§ 52. Mrs. Middletonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the total resources of methane gas in the British Isles obtainable from natural sources, sewage works and oil-cracking works, respectively; and what use of this gas is anticipated in the production of carbon black or chemical manufacture or as a booster for town gas where this is possible.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe total resources of methane in the British Isles obtainable from natural sources and sewage works are still substantially as given in reply to my hon. Friend, on 19th June, 1947. No methane is at present available from oil-cracking works. The quantity of methane available from these sources is not at present sufficient for the production of carbon black or chemicals or as a booster for town gas. Some hydrocarbon gas (containing methane) should be available for town gas supplies from an oil-cracking plant in the near future.