§ 23. Mr. Croninasked the Minister of Power if he will give an approximate estimate of the quantity and value of liquid methane gas imported by the gas industry in 1959 or in any recent convenient 12 month period.
§ 31. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Power what volume of liquid gas has been imported since the commencement of the experiment with this form of fuel.
§ Mr. WoodAbout 9,400 tons of liquid methane, equivalent to about 940 million cubic feet of town gas, were imported in 1959. I understand that the price paid for these shipments under the arrangements governing the experiment was about £165,000.
§ Mr. CroninIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the importation of this methane is justified, in view of the very large amount of coal available for gasification?
§ Mr. WoodThese are experimental cargoes, and I have not yet had made to me any specific proposals for importing this methane on a commercial scale. I pointed out to the House two or three months ago that the importation of liquid methane would not necessarily be to the disadvantage of coal. The hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) has just been directing our attention to important processes for the gasification of coal Which provide a "lean" gas which needs enrichment by some such method as this.
§ Mr. RobertsHow long are these experiments likely to continue? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if the experiments are successful there should be some consultation with the National Coal Board?
§ Mr. WoodI do not think they will continue for very much longer before certain proposals are made to me. I should not like to pronounce on the proposals before having had the chance of knowing what they are.
§ Mr. RobertsWill the right hon. Gentlemen present the report when the experiments are concluded?
§ Mr. WoodNo doubt I shall have an opportunity of reporting on the matter, which I know is something in which hon. Members are very interested.