§ 8. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to recover sulphur from flue gases emitted from electric power stations.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerResearch into the recovery of sulphur from power stations is going on; but so far no economic method has been found.
§ Mr. RussellCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is consulting the competent authorities other than those concerned with the generation of power, because I understand that there is a certain amount of prejudice among power station operators against having to deal with by-products and things of that kind?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, certainly; scientific experts and various authorities are looking into the problem.
§ Mr. P. Robertsis the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of sulphur in the gases from the carbonisation of coal particularly, and that the committee he has mentioned may report that it is uneconomical to obtain it? Will he therefore consider whether a subsidy should be given to get this sulphur, which is so very necessary?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerA method has been found of getting sulphur compounds—for instance, ammonium sulphate. The capital costs would be £60 million and the price would be £20 a ton as against £13 for sulphur. It looks, therefore, very highly uneconomic at the present stage.