§ 29. Mr. Nealasked the Paymaster-General what progress has been made in research into the latest methods of producing gas from oil; and what is the expected annual intake for this purpose in terms of coal equivalent of surplus products from oil refineries.
§ Sir I. HorobinResearch in this field is concentrated upon hydrogenation of oil, and this offers the most promising approach to the hydrogenation of low grade coal. A commercial scale plant designed to work initially on oil and later on coal has now been commissioned by the Gas Council.
The gas industry estimates that its consumption of tail gas and other refinery surpluses may increase, in terms of coal equivalent, from the present level of about 500,000 tons to 2 million tons in 1965.
§ Mr. NealDoes the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary mean that wherever there are refineries we may expect to see waste products from the refineries being pumped into the mains of the various gas boards? Does he view such a prospect with equanimity in view of the millions of tons of coal he has accumulated on the ground?
§ Sir I. HorobinReally, the hon. Gentleman seems to have a curious idea of the economics of fuel. The refineries being there, surely it is better that the tail gas should be burned by some consumer than just go up in the air.