§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Paymaster-General (1) what steps Her Majesty's Government are prepared to take to encourage development of improved low temperature carbonisation processes for the production of oil and smokeless fuel from surplus coal stocks;
(2) what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to promote development of improved low temperature carbonisation processes, other than those aimed at the exclusive production of gas, for economic consumption of surplus coal stocks.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe preference on indigenous oils offers a substantial measure of assistance to the production of oil from coal. As my noble Friend has already announced he has asked his80W Scientific Advisory Council to investigate the possibilities of increasing research and development in all practicable processes for the production of oil, gas and chemicals from coal.