HC Deb 07 July 1958 vol 591 c11
13. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Paymaster-General what research is being done into finding economical ways of using coal for the production of oil.

Mr. Maudling

Before coal can be economically converted into oil in this country, we must develop an efficient means of gasifying it at high pressure. Our efforts to solve this problem were described in the reply to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. A. Roberts) on 16th June. Co-ordinated work on other aspects of the problem of oil synthesis is being pressed forward by the Fuel Research Station and by my Department.

Mr. Ridsdale

Could my right hon. Friend say why this was not considered by the Select Committee on the Coal Industry, and could he assure the House that its omission was not due to any complacency with regard to this development?

Mr. Maudling

I can only speak for my noble Friend, who attaches very great importance indeed to this matter.

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