HC Deb 17 January 1967 vol 739 cc16-7
15. Mr. Alison

asked the Minister of Power what consultations took place between the National Coal Board and himself in the matter of the Board's capital investment of £207,000 in the Draysley Company of Slough; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marsh

The Board informed me of its arrangements for this Company to assist in the development of a domestic boiler which would burn bituminous coal smokelessly. The model handled by the Draysley Company has been discontinued, but the development of an improved design is being pursued by the Board.

Mr. Alison

Is the Minister aware that this looks like being another of the bottomless pits without any coal in them into which the Coal Board is so blindly throwing public money? Why buy up this firm at £¼ million in order to discontinue the current range of products that it had developed? What does the Board hope to sell in the future?

Mr. Marsh

The purpose of this particular enterprise was to enable the Board to pursue research and development on solid fuel burning appliances, which is a proper function of the Board. It was a reasonable investment, and the sort necessary for this degree of research and development.