§ Sir F. SANDERSONasked the Secretary for Mines what is the present position in regard to tests of processes for the slow carbonisation of coal; if any of these processes have yet been proved to be successful on a commercial basis and; if, in view of the continued depression of the coal industry, the Government are taking any steps to facilitate the adoption of such a process?
§ Commodore KINGI presume my hon. Friend refers to low temperature carbonisation processes. The Director of Fuel Research is authorised to test, free of charge, as regards technical results, any processes which have reached a sufficient stage of development. Reports of five such tests have been published, a sixth is being printed, and two more are being arranged. The present position of commercial plants was given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) on 18th December, 1928. Commercial success depends on local conditions as well as on the process, and can only be proved by continued working over a prolonged period. The Government do not propose to take any steps beyond those already announced.