§ Mr. Alisonasked the Minister of Power (1) at what capital cost the Coventry plant for the production of Homefire smokeless fuel was completed; on what date its building was commenced; and on what date it was commissioned or operational output commenced;
(2) what information he received, in considering the National Coal Board's application for approval of capital expenditure at the Coventry plant, regarding the forecast full production output of Homefire smokeless fuel from the plant per year, and per week, respectively; and when this output level will be reached;
(3) what has been the total output of Homefire smokeless fuel from production plants.
§ Dr. BrayI understand that the National Coal Board notified the Minister of Power of its plans in 1963, and told him that the output of this plant was to be 650,000 tons per annum, 13,000 tons per week. Construction started in March, 1964. I am informed that the plant is now substantially complete, but that engineering difficulties have delayed the start of production, and full production is not likely to be reached for at least a year. The total cost cannot be stated exactly until all work has been finished, but the National Coal Board's latest estimate is that it will be of the order of £12 million.
Coventry is the only production plant for Homefire smokeless fuel. For the reasons given above it has not yet produced commercial quantities.