§ 35. Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken in process technology for the 380W conversion of coal into liquid and gaseous fuels to be commercially viable.
§ Mr. EadieProcesses to improve the economics of making liquid and gaseous fuels from coal, figure in the research and development work carried out by the National Coal Board and the British Gas Corporation. Their work is summarised in the respective annual reports and in the Department of Energy's annual report on research and development. In addition, proposals for the development of United Kingdom coal liquefaction and gasification technology at the pilot plant scale have been put to a working party on research and development under the Coal Industry Tripartite Group. The working party, comprising representatives of Government, National Coal Board and the mining unions, is expected to report in the spring.
§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much financial support the Government are giving to the five specific projects of research and development now being considered by the coal and gas industries for the conversion of coal into liquid and gaseous fuels; and if he will give details of the projects concerned.
§ Mr. EadieNo Government financial support is being given to the projects to which the hon. Member refers, as the question will not arise until after the working party on research and development under the Coal Industry Tripartite Group has completed its studies and reports in the spring. Some details of the projects and the composition of the working party are given in the Department of Energy Press Notice No. 345, dated 19th October 1977, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.