§ Mr. HansonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of the future use of the liquefaction plant site at Point of Ayr, Clwyd; and if he intends to initiate further discussions on the site and its future; [34879]
(2) if he will make it his policy to prevent demolition of the liquefaction plant site at Point of Ayr, Clwyd; and if he will list the representations he has received on this subject to date; [34880]
(3) what has been the total investment to date (a) by his Department and (b) by British Coal in the liquefaction plant at Point of Ayr, Clwyd. [34878]
§ Mr. PageThe future of the liquefaction plant at Point of Ayr is a matter for British Coal. The coal liquefaction R and D project has successfully completed the demonstration of technology to produce high grade petrol and diesel fuels from a wide range of coals. British Coal has explored in some considerable detail the options for alternative uses of the site now that this R and D project has been completed, but unfortunately these have proved not be commercially viable. My Department has received no representations on this subject.
My Department, along with the industrial participants in the project, has been consulted on all the assessments on the future use of the site by British Coal. The Department has no plans to initiate any further discussions on the future of the site. However, I understand that Delyn borough council has recently expressed an interest to British Coal in developing the site offices, laboratories and workshops.
The total investment in the Point of Ayr coal liquefaction project by the participants is as follows:
£ million Department of Trade and Industry 5.413 British Coal Corporation 20.602 European Commission (DGXVII) 14.354 Industry and other contributions 3.947 Total cost 44.316 Note:
Theses figures are the projected outturn cost of the project.
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