§ 11. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any programme of research has yet been submitted to him by the Gas Council for agreement under Section 3 of the Gas Act, 1948; whether, in this connection, he has approved the decision of the Council to disband the Gas Research Board; and what steps he is taking in these circumstances to ensure that henceforward there is adequate co-operative research in the gas industry as a whole.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe Gas Council have recently submitted to me a programme of scientific research. I have laid it before my Scientific Advisory Council, and have asked them for their advice. The decision to end the Gas 665 Research Board did not require my consent, but I am glad to assure the hon. Member that I am in constant consultation with the Gas Council about the measures required to ensure the adequate and progressive expansion of gas research.
§ Mr. ErrollAre research programmes to be considered by industrial firms connected with the gas industry, and will the results of the research, when the programmes have been decided upon, be publicly available?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerParticipation of the firms concerned with the manufacture of gas plant is now under consideration.