§ 14. Mr. Fitchasked the Paymaster-General if he will give some general information about the scientific investigation which is being carried on into the uses of coal as a by-product.
§ Mr. MaudlingMy noble Friend attaches great importance to the development of coal as a source of oil, chemicals and other by-products. Much work is being done in this field by the many organisations concerned. I would refer the hon. Member to the Annual Reports 8 of the National Coal Board and the Gas Council and the Fuel Research Report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for information about the work for which they are responsible.
§ Mr. FitchIn view of the decline in the demand for coal due to competition from oil, and in view also of the likely further decline due to the competition of atomic power, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is a matter of urgency? We in this country have had a mineral upon which the country's economy has been based for generations. Surely we should make more use of this?
§ Mr. MaudlingI entirely accept everything the hon. Member says about the importance of research into the use of coal, and I can assure him that this is well understood by my noble Friend, the Department and industry.
§ Mr. RobensIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied at the speed with which the Coal Board is able to produce smokeless fuel from coal it is already producing? In view of the demands for smokeless fuels as a result of the operation of the Clean Air Act, does he not think that research into that, and possibly a little more money spent upon it, may be necessary at this stage?
§ Mr. MaudlingI should not like to give an answer off the cuff to the right hon. Gentleman. If he will put that question down I shall be glad to give him an answer.