§ 31. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken in the improvement of studies in coal technology at universities and colleges of advanced technology.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsI understand that both the National Coal Board and the Central Electricity Generating Board have contracts with those universities which have facilities for work on coal technology, and that the National Coal Board has recently strengthened the links between its own staffs and those in universities. The Science Research Council provides research grants and training awards, and at my right hon. Friend's suggestion has established a working party to identify areas in which research in universities could contribute to knowledge and facilitate practical development in the field of coal combustion.
§ Mr. WainwrightI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but is not he aware that the chemical "boffins" in Europe and this country have made two big discoveries from coal, one a terrific energy packing fuel for supersonic aircraft, and the other paint which can be used to conduct electricity in the home? May I also ask him—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We must get on.
§ Mr. RobertsThe Science Research Council is aware of all these developments and is actively engaged in probing the potentialities of all of them.