Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to encourage the use of solid fuel for motor vehicles with a view to reducing our dependence upon supplies of imported petrol and Diesel oil, bearing in mind the fact that heavy motor vehicles could be run more economically upon solid fuel than upon petrol or Diesel oil, and that Germany has greatly reduced her dependence upon foreign supplies by this development, which would also considerably increase the demands for coal and coal products in this country?
§ Mr. BurginIn the case of vehicles using compressed gas or producer gas there is no duty payable on the fuel, and for the heavier types of vehicle there is a further advantage in that the rate of vehicle duty is lower than that for vehicles using petrol or Diesel oil. The question whether any further action ought to be taken which would enable wider use to be made of such vehicles during an emergency is under examination, but I am not at present in a position to make any announcement in the matter.