HC Deb 15 July 1957 vol 573 cc729-30
26. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Paymaster-General his plans for developing the use of peat as a fuel.

Mr. Mandling

Experiments on the development of peat as a fuel are being actively continued at Gardrum Moss in Stirlingshire in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, as part of the wider programme of peat development under the guidance of the Scottish Peat Committee. It is hoped that sufficient information will be available later this year to enable a decision to be taken about the future course of this project.

Mr. Hughes

Is it not time that the Minister came to a firm decision about the development of peat, abundant supplies of which are available in Scotland? Is he aware that if peat were obtained for use as fuel a large amount of agricultural land could be developed?

Mr. Maudling

As experiments are going on into the use of peat as fuel, it seems a good deal wiser to wait until those experiments are completed.

Sir T. Moore

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the country is much more interested in his plans for developing an increased output of coal, if necessary with the assistance of a few Hungarians?

Mr. Maudling

I think the country is interested in the development of all forms of energy.

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