§ 103. Mr. J. Taylorasked the Paymaster-General if he is aware that the production of oil from shale is being vigorously developed in the United States of America and in China; and if he will give Government support and encouragement to the shale oil industry in Scotland.
§ Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Paymaster-General what steps he intends taking to encourage the development and expansion in output of the indigenous shale oil industry in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn common with other producers of indigenous oil the shale oil industry is already encouraged by a duty advantage of 1s. 3d. a gallon as compared with the duty on imported oils.
I understand that in the United States the Government have ceased contributing to the development of shale oil and there is virtually no commercial production. I have no information about the economics of shale oil production in China but I understand that the output is relatively small.