§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies are being made for new technologies producing gas and oil from coal to replace and supplement the oil and natural gas reserves which will become scarce in the long term, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EadieThe National Coal Board at its Coal Research Establishment near Cheltenham is developing techniques for the liquefaction of coal to produce petrol and diesel fuels, and chemical feedstocks and for the gasification of coal in a fluidised bed to produce a low calorific value fuel gas.
The British Gas Corporation at its Westfield Development Centre is developing techniques for the production of substitute natural gas from coal. This work 421W is being sponsored by an American consortium.
Proposals for the further pilot scale development of coal gasification and liquefaction techniques have been considered by the R and D Working Party of the Coal Industry Tripartite Group and publication of the draft report is expected in a matter of weeks. Details of these proposals are given in the Department of energy Press Notice 345 dated 19th October 1977 and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.