HC Deb 01 November 1954 vol 532 c9W
79. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what research has been made by his Department to ascertain the maximum amount of by-products that can be obtained from a ton of coal, giving the name of each by-product; and what would be their value in the British market.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

The increased efficiency of the various coal treatment processes is a main objective of the research and development programmes of the industries and others concerned. The main by-products are crude tar, ammoniacal liquor, spent oxide and crude benzole but no reliable estimate of their total value can be made.