HC Deb 02 March 1977 vol 927 c215W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what price for crude oil would be required to enable methanol to be produced economically from coal;

(2) what price for crude oil would be required to enable ethylene to be produced economically from coal; and when it was last produced in the United Kingdom from this source in substantial quantities.

Mr. Eadie

The price of crude oil relative to coal would have to double before the production of methanol or ethylene from coal could begin to appear economic. No significant quantities of ethylene have been derived from coal in the United Kingdom.