HC Deb 06 July 1959 vol 608 cc881-2
35. Mr. Cronin

asked the Paymaster-General when he now anticipates he will receive the report of the Wilson Committee on processing, research and development in the coal industry.

Mr. Maudling

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 8th June.

Mr. Cronin

As the task of finding alternative uses for coal is now a matter of extreme urgency, will the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to speed up publication of the Wilson Report?

Mr. Maudling

Yes, Sir.

36. Mr. Cronin

asked the Paymaster-General to what extent the terms of reference of the Wilson Committee on processing, research and development in the coal industry permit them to make recommendations as to the desirability of the National Coal Board itself carrying out large scale development work on gasification processes.

Mr. Maudling

My noble Friend would regard recommendations on this subject as entirely within the Committee's terms of reference.

Mr. Cronin

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that as the National Coal Board is particularly concerned with the maximum utilisation of coal, it might well be the appropriate body to undertake large-scale development work on gasification?

Mr. Maudling

The hon. Gentleman asked me whether the question would be in order, and then asked me to anticipate the result.

Mr. Hale

Will the right hon. Gentleman come clean on this matter and tell the House who is this noble Friend to whom he constantly refers and whom none of us has ever met, and whether he leads a separate, viable existence and what he does for a living?

Mr. Maudling

The hon. Gentleman should refer to HANSARD at appropriate stages in the Session.