§ 31. Mr. Albuasked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to further the development of the system of fog dispersal, originally developed on his behalf at the Battersea College of Technology.
§ Mr. W. J. TaylorNone, Sir. The method of fog dispersal investigated at Battersea College did not prove sufficiently promising to justify further development.
§ Mr. AlbuI wonder whether the hon. Gentleman would ask his right hon. Friend to consult the Secretary of State for Air, who last week, in reply to a Question dealing with a very similar method of fog dispersal, said that it was a very promising idea. Why is it that there appears to be no co-ordination between the two Departments in this very important matter?
§ Mr. TaylorIt is not a question of co-ordination between two Departments but merely a question of difference of opinion between the scientists involved. The work at Battersea was based on the idea that fog might be dispersed by accelerating the rate of coalescence and precipitation of the minute drops by spraying the surface with an active agent and using an aeroplane for that purpose. If the hon. Member has anything to contribute which will help my Department in solving this difficult problem, I shall be very glad to hear it.