HC Deb 02 April 1925 vol 182 cc1551-2W
Mr. S. MITCHELL

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that Russia, formerly a wheat-exporting country, is

the House any information as to the possible value of the oil and other important by-products obtainable from coal; and if there is any reasonable prospect of their being successfully extracted, in view of the waste represented in this direction?

Colonel LANE-FOX

lf, as I suppose, my hon. Friend's question relates to processes of low temperature carbonisation, I would refer him to the reply given on 10th February to my Noble Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Viscount Sandon). The value of these processes obviously depends upon the extent to which they can be operated commercially at a profit, and, as I have recently informed the House, the Government intend to spare no efforts to assist in developing them and endeavouring to make them a commercial success.