20. Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has yet made a decision concerning the proposal for a coal-based gas plant in Northern Ireland.
Mr. ButlerNo. At the end of last month the Department of Economic Development received a preliminary paper from the National Coal Board on a coal gasification plant to supply gas to Belfast. The National Coal Board paper is being urgently assessed by independent experts, and until I receive their report I will not be in a position to come to a decision.