§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the fact that the National Coke and Oil Company, Limited, continue to ignore the suggestion of the Lord President of the Council that they can take advantage of the facilities offered by the Fuel Research Board for testing processes of extracting oil from coal, he is satisfied that the recommendations made by him to the Stock Exchange regarding the subscription of public funds in such cases are adequate?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member seems to be confusing two different matters. The communication to the Stock Exchange which was issued in October, 1935, and published in the Press, was adequate for the purpose to which it was directed. But in the particular case of plants for low temperature carbonisation the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have since 1924 been 1041W authorised to carry out tests themselves on application being made to them. On this subject I cannot usefully add to what was stated by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on the 25th June last.