HC Deb 05 February 1952 vol 495 cc781-2
4. Major W. J. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the use of Scottish peat as fuel for electric power stations.

Mr. Snadden

The investigations supervised by the Scottish Peat Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Edward Appleton are making good progress. Messrs. John Brown and Company, Clydebank, have completed an experimental peat-fired closed-cycle gas turbine under contract to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and are testing it. An open-cycle turbine will shortly be completed for the Ministry of Fuel and Power by Messrs. Ruston and Hornsby, Lincoln. Meanwhile the Committee is giving special attention to the development of more efficient and economical means of producing and drying peat.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Is any survey being made of the extent of the peat resources of Scotland; and would it not be a good thing ultimately to have a peat board appointed for this purpose?

Mr. Snadden

Yes, Sir, I understand there is a survey going on, and the Department of Agriculture will shortly start experiments near Falkirk in order to test a method of removing water by pressure with a press designed by the Ministry of Fuel and Power.

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