§ 99. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he is taking to obtain the scientific utilisation of coal and the maximum by-productions from coal; and what steps are being taken to obtain oil from shale.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydMy Department is carrying out research and development work into many aspects of the scientific utilisation of coal, and with the assistance of my Scientific Advisory Council I maintain contact with scientific work in the whole field of fuel and power. Coal is carbonised at gas works and coke ovens operated by the gas boards, the National Coal Board and the Iron and Steel Industry, and I am satisfied that adequate attention is paid to the maximum recovery of by-products.
Oil is produced from mined shale by the petroleum industry; production in 1951 amounted to 105,000 tons.