HC Deb 09 February 1959 vol 599 cc846-7
26. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Paymaster-General what is the estimated cost of the initial import of liquid methane by the Gas Council for experimental purposes, under his auspices.

Sir I. Horobin

The costs of this experiment are being shared by the British gas industry and the American interests concerned. The total cost to the gas industry is estimated to be about £1½ million.

Mr. Roberts

Will this lessen at all research into the use of inferior coals for high pressure gas?

Sir I. Horobin

Oh, no, the two things are only very indirectly connected.

Mr. Neal

In view of the extreme danger of the transport of these cargoes, has the hon. Gentleman considered that a vessel of that same size conveying oil will bring five times as much energy into the country?

Sir I. Horobin

All these considerations were, of course, considered very carefully. The main object of this experiment was to try out the technical possibility of it, and I should have thought that the Gas Council was to be congratulated upon its initiative along these lines.