HC Deb 10 April 1951 vol 486 c804
15. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will in vestigate the sulphur deposited in peat bogs, especially in Shetland, to see if it could be economically worked.

Mr. McNeil

I am advised that the sulphur content of peat bogs is very low and I do not think, therefore, that an inquiry such as the hon. Member proposes would be likely to yield useful results.

Mr. Grimond

Although in normal times, no doubt, sulphur deposits in peat bogs are not economically workable, since we are so short of sulphur would not the Minister think it worth while to hold a further examination now?

Mr. McNeil

I am fairly satisfied that the sulphur content of dried peat is as low as 0.5 per cent. We are making inquiries into scientific methods of using peat for other purposes.

Mr. John MacLeod

Could the Minister say when the report will be issued regarding these deposits and the inquiries that are being made?

Mr. McNeil

I could not do so with any exactness. One half of the experiment is well advanced. I do not mean that the other is unduly delayed, but I could not say precisely.