§ Mr. Jim Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the projects currently in progress for the production of synthetic natural gas from coal; and what are the estimates of expenditure for the current financial year on these projects.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MahonThe Westfield Development Centre of the British Gas Corporation is developing a fixed-bed slagging gasifier for the production of SNG, and the BCURA Ltd. Laboratory of the National Coal Board is developing the gasification stage of a process for the manufacture of oil and SNG from coal. Both projects are under contract to American sponsors and the current annual expenditure totals about £3½ million.
§ Mr. Jim Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate 228W of the contribution of synthetic natural gas to the total amount of natural gas supplies by British Gas in five, 10 and 15 years' time.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonAt present synthetic natural gas—SNG—is used only to meet peaks in seasonal demand. The quantities to be used over the next few years will therefore depend on the winter weather. The longer term contribution of SNG will depend on the availability of natural gas at the time as well as on the cost and availability of alternative supplies of energy.