HC Deb 07 July 1958 vol 591 cc10-1
7. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Paymaster-General what instructions he has given for the preparation of plans to provide for a high pressure gas grid linking the coalfields of the Midlands with London and Lancashire.

Mr. Maudling

The Gas Council is examining the possibilities of such a grid in anticipation of the wider use of high pressure gasification processes now under development.

Mr. Roberts

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there are great opportunities in this process, it being cheaper to convey gas by this method than to bring coal from the Midlands or the North to the London area by sea or by land?

Mr. Maudling

There are certainly great economic possibilities in transporting gas under high pressure, but we have not yet solved the problem of manufacturing gas under high pressure. There are at least two, possibly three, experimental plants in being for this purpose, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the gas industry is very well aware of the great importance of this development.