12. Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps his Department are taking to promote the extraction of natural gas in this country.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydOn natural gas derived from coal seams, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 4th February.
Natural gas may also be derived from petroleum bearing strata and my Department grants licences to prospectors to search and bore for petroleum, including such gas. Forty-two such licences are current covering 6,500 square miles, but I understand that geologists do not expect to find substantial quantities of natural gas associated with petroleum in this country.
Colonel ClarkeDoes my right hon. Friend realise the great strides that have been made in other countries in the use of natural gas and that it has been used in this country? Is he aware that I am informed that at one time Heathfield station, in Sussex, was lit by natural gas?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Minister aware that Government restrictions on capital investments have seriously handicapped the very useful work started by the London County Council in the extraction of methane gas from sewage?
§ Mr. LloydI fear that the real deciding factor with regard to natural gas associated with petroleum, which is the most interesting proposition from the world point of view, is that there does not seem to be much in this country.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan I have an answer to my question?
§ Mr. LloydI am not aware of what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has said. There is, in fact, quite a considerable amount of extraction of methane going on in this country at present.