§ 19. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Power what discoveries on the chemical uses of coal have been made in Great Britain since the publication of the Wilson Report.
§ Mr. WoodNo outstanding discoveries have taken place but improvements in the use of coal products are continually being made by the National Coal Board, the Coal Tar Research Association, the British Coal Utilisation Research Association and others.
§ Mr. DalyellCam the Minister confirm that he is keeping abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and of their industrial application?
§ Mr. WoodI certainly feel that there is sufficient inquiry going on in these matters not to miss any important possibility.
§ 20. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Power if, in view of the need to develop the chemical uses of coal, he will introduce legislation to enable the National Coal Board to operate plants designed to exploit modern discoveries in this field.
§ Mr. PeytonThe National Coal Board already has these powers under subsection 2 (1) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946.