§ Captain Stricklandasked the Secretary for Mines whether the more extensive production and use of peat for domestic fuel came within the terms of reference of the Henley Committee set up last year; whether it was referred to in the report of that committee; and whether he will now ask them to give immediate priority of investigation to that issue, in view of the present coal shortage?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe production and use of peat was not included in the original terms of reference of the Henley Committee that sat last year, but, as was mentioned in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Sexton) on 2nd April, 1940, they were later asked to consider the question. The committee examined many methods of utilising peat, and their report included reference to its use as domestic fuel. I have informed the present committee of the urgency of both the problems they are investigating, the use of peat and the sources of fuels for producer gas vehicles, and I am confident that I shall receive their report as quickly as possible.