Mr. T. Morrisasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received from the Royal Scottish Automobile Club a report on the result of its official test of a high-speed gas lorry; and, if so, whether he will state the findings?
§ Captain CrookshankI have received no copy of the report referred to from the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, but I was furnished with a copy at the time by one of the companies interested in the trials. As regards the second part of the question I understand that the report was published.
Mr. T. Morrisasked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made in the utilisation of high-speed gas for road transport vehicles; and whether, in view of the fact that this involves the direct gasification of anthracite and other solid fuel on the vehicle, he will consider taking steps to encourage a development which is of great significance to the coal industry?
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§ Captain CrookshankWith regard to the first part of the question, I understand that several road transport vehicles running on producer gas are at present in use in this country for experimental or demonstration purposes. With regard to the second part of the question, encouragement has been given to the development of this type of vehicle in the form of taxation relief, viz., there is no duty payable on the fuel and for the heavier types of vehicles using coal or coke the rate of duty is lower than for vehicles using petrol or diesel oil.