HC Deb 28 March 1983 vol 40 c22W
29. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the capacity for gasification of coal which will be needed within the next 25 years.

Mr. John Moore

This will be determined by the market. It appears likely at present that the cost of producing substitute natural gas from coal will rule it out as a competitor to alternative fuels for some considerable time. Given the uncertainty over timing, it would be fruitless to speculate about capacity requirements over the next 25 years.