§ 18. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Fuel and Power in view of the important industrial possibilities involved, what steps are being taken to ensure intensive research on the development of gas turbines to run on cheap fuels derived from indigenous coal.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI regard the development of the gas turbine to use coal and cheap fuels derived from coal as one of the most important matters on which my Department is engaged. The Department, with the full support of my Scientific Advisory Council, is directing a wide programme of research on the subject. The programme includes research on other industrial gas turbines to use peat and the firedamp contained in the upcast from collieries. Research into the use of peat, which would be of particular importance in Scotland, is being done in co-operation with the Scottish Home Department.