§ 26. Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Power what official consultations he has had with the interests concerned on the implementation of the White Paper on a national fuel policy.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI keep in close touch with the interests concerned in the implementation of fuel policy, particularly the fuel industries.
§ Mr. HamlingIn view of the fact that coal is a national indigenous product, will my right hon. Friend tell the House whether he is satisfied that as much research is being put into the use of coal as into the use of oil?
§ Mr. LeeI can assure my hon. Friend that a very great deal of research is being put into the use of coal. I now have the assistance of a joint research committee of the electricity, gas and coal industries. Despite the fact that at the moment the economics of carbonisation are not as good as they are in oil, that does not mean that we are not doing all this research in the hope of getting a break-through.