§ Mr. Leslieasked the Secretary for Mines, in view of the fact that it is estimated by the German Government that within two years Germany will have produced from coal all the oil required for military purposes and in view of our present dependance on oil supplies from overseas, what steps are being taken by the Government to facilitate the production of oil from coal in this country?
§ Captain CrookshankEven if what the hon. Member describes as a fact had been fully established it does not follow that what Germany may consider to be a desirable policy is necessarily the proper policy for this country. As regards the production of oil from coal in this country, I would refer the hon. Member to recent answers which have been given on this subject by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence and myself, copies of which I am sending him.