§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy what research is being undertaken by the National Coal Board in developing domestic solid fuel appliances capable of burning bituminous coal smokelessly; and whether there is any possibility of EEC financial assistance for such a research programme.
§ Mr. EadieIn answer to the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Whitlock) on 21st March 1978.
Machinery exists in the European Coal and Steel Community for providing financial aid to coal research, but domestic combustion does not figure among those topics currently listed in the Community's medium-term programme. Meanwhile, the National Coal Board continues, in collaboration with manufacturers, to carry out work on this subject.