§ 9. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Power what part his Department is taking in furthering the establishment in Great Britain of centres for the extraction of food concentrates from gas oils and other fuels; and what experiments are being carried out on the use of North Sea gas in this field.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Department is in close touch with the major oil companies and with the Ministry of Technology on this subject. B.P. is building an experimental plant at its refinery at Lavera for the conversion of wax from distillate oils into edible protein. The "Shell" Research Company is experimenting in Kent with a process involving the growth of bacteria on the carbon of methane gas.
§ Mr. RobertsWould my hon. Friend agree that the French experiments show the value of fuel oils as a source of animal foodstuffs and also perhaps ultimately of helping the hungry millions of the world? Would he accept that the news of experiments with methane, and hence the possible use of North Sea gas, will be very welcome to the House?
§ Mr. FreesonI am sure it will be welcomed in the House. I certainly accept the first part of my hon. Friend's question. This discovery and development will be of great assistance eventually in the world situation with regard to food supplies and will eventually considerably help this country's economy.
§ Mr. TilneyDo not such developments depend on an adequate supply of gas, and is there not a danger if the price is not high enough that international companies will move to foreign waters?
§ Mr. FreesonI do not accept anything of what the hon. Member has said.