§ 6. Mr. Nealasked the Paymaster-General if the experiment in underground gasification at Newman Spinney is successful; and whether a commercial power station will now be erected.
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is still too early to say whether this experiment will be successful and whether a commercial power station will be erected.
§ Mr. NealThe Paymaster-General says that it is too early. After nine years of experimentation in this direction, does he not think that it is time that some commercial results were obtained, or should the idea be written off as a complete loss?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe National Coal Board is doing all it can, but it is a difficult project. The Board has studied experience in other countries. It still believes that it is worth going ahead on this experimentation, and I think we should support the Board in that.