§ 87. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress has been made in underground gasification; 296W and whether he contemplates commercial production of electricity by this means.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe work at Newman Spinney on the underground gasification of coal has begun very well. In the first practical experiment that has been made, a seam, which would be wholly unsuitable for any form of mining, was successfully ignited more than three months ago; it has continued ever since to produce gas, and the total gasification of nearly 200 tons of coal has been effected. The quality of the gas so far obtained is good, and it is hoped that the experiment may ultimately lead to the commercial production of gas suitable for the generation of power. More work must be done, however, before a firm conclusion can be reached.