Gasification of Oil (Hansard, 13 February 1961)

§ 24. Mr. Wainwright
asked the Minister of Power if he will state the amount of 920 money spentby the gas industry on research in connection with the gasification of oil for the years 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, and the estimated figure for 1961.

§ Mr. Wood
An estimated £146,000 in 1957–58; £249,000 in 1958–59; £227,000 in 1959–60; £290,000 estimated for 1960–61 and £176,000 forecast for 1961–62. These amounts cover some work which will also help with coal gasification.

§ Mr. Wainwright
While appreciating the figures the right hon. Gentleman has given, and also knowing full well that research will have to take place and does take place, may I ask him to consider arranging for discussions between the officials of the gas industry and the N.C.B. on the whole question of research? Will he ask the gas industry not to neglect the question of gasification of coal by the Lurgi system?

§ Mr. Wood
In answer to the last part of the supplementary question, I am sure the gas industry will not neglect that system because, as the hon. Member knows, two plants are being built and one will go into operation in the fairly near future. As to the main question of research, the gas industry and the coal industry are considering that matter very carefully at the moment in the light of recommendations in the Wilson Report, which was published a month or two ago.

§ 25. Mr. Wainwright
asked the Minister of Power if he will state the number of tons of oil, in coal equivalent, which the gas industry has used for making gas during the years 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, and the estimated figure for 1961.

§ Mr. Wood
Including purchases of refinery gas, the tonnage of oil used was in 1957, 450,000; in 1958, 750,000; in 1959, 890,000; in 1960, 1,030,000; and the estimated use in 1961 is 1,150,000 tons. The coal equivalent of oil used for gas making varies according to the process.

§ Mr. Wainwright
Does the Minister realise that those figures will cause great consternation among the personnel in the mining industry? Will he consider 921 advising the gas industry that the indigenous fuel in this country ought to have favourable consideration in the making of gas for use throughout the country?

§ Mr. Wood
The advice which both my predecessor and I have given to the gas industry is that when it takes the view that it is technically or economically beneficial to it to use oil rather than coal it should first discuss the matter with the coal industry to see if there are counter-proposals which that industry can make. That is what it has done, and it would be wrong for me after that discussion has taken place and in cases where the coal industry cannot compete to force competition upon it.