§ Mr. Matthewsasked the Minister of Power whether he will make a statement about the success or otherwise of the 85W market trials of the new smokeless fuel which is being produced at Birch Coppice Colliery; and what is the anticipated annual production of this fuel.
§ Mr. PeytonI am informed by the National Coal Board that the market trials have been very successful. Production at Birch Coppice should be at a rate of 50,000 tons per annum as from the autumn. The quantity would be substantially increased when the proposed full-scale plant comes into operation.