§ Mr. Chorltonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, 2928W whether he will give the present position of the experiments relating to the internal combustion engine using powdered coal as a fuel; and what successful progress has been made in other Continental countries in this matter?
§ Earl WintertonThe Fuel Research Station has been conducting investigations for some years into a number of the underlying problems, particularly those concerned with the wear of cylinder liners, piston rings, etc., due to the abrasive action of the ash and to the chemical composition and the degree of fineness of the fuel. A commercial Diesel engine has recently been installed and its conversion to operate experimentally on powdered coal is in progress. Experimental work is known to have reached an advanced stage on the Continent, but I am not aware that any but experimental engines are yet in operation.