§ 24. Colonel Ralph Clarkeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how far the production of methane gas from sewage sludge by certain local authorities has proved to be an economic sources of fuel and power; and what further research on the subject is proceeding, or is contemplated.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe process is economic at large sewage works but not at small ones. Investigation is continuing into the fermentation process.
§ Colonel ClarkeDoes my right hon. Friend think that in the nearly foreseeable future there is any chance of it being developed economically elsewhere?
§ Mr. LloydI think it is only applicable to the large works, and there what it does is sometimes to provide enough power for the undertaking itself. I understand that at present there are about 1,000 million cubic feet of this methane gas produced, which is roughly equivalent to 23,000 tons of coal.