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Postal Packet:
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Hobson: The Customs officer actually examines the envelope to see what is inside. On the question of read- ing the letters, I am sure that we can rely on the decency of the Customs and Excise people not to read the letters but merely to extract currency if it is there and then to report the matter to the appropriate authority. I would add that
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after the letters are opened, everything is done by the Post Office to expedite their delivery as addressed.
Question put, and agreed to.
at
Adjourned accordingly Twenty-one Minutes past Ten o'Clock.
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WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Thursday, 9th December, 1948
FUEL AND POWER
Oil Refineries
2. Mr. Erroll asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a state- ment on the present programme for con- structing United Kingdom oil refineries, indicating which schemes have been ap- proved; the magnitude of each; the dates on which they will be coming into pro- duction; and the approximate total cost and total capacity.
Mr. Gaitskell: Work has started on the construction of four plants at Llan- darcy, Grangemouth, Stanlow and Shellhaven, which will increase refining capacity in this country by about 94 million tons a year. The total cost will be approximately £46 million and it is expected that the projects will be com- pleted at various times between the end of 1949 and the end of 1953. Other plans for extending refining capacity are being discussed with the companies con- cerned. If they are all carried out, United Kingdom capacity should, in about four years, be capable of processing nearly 20 million tons of oil as compared with approximately 2 million tons in 1947.
Electricity Consultative Councils
Major Beamish asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what bodies or organi- sations are being asked to nominate candidates for appointment to the Con- sultative Councils as laid down in Clause 7 of the Electricity Act, 1947.
Mr. Gaitskell: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. C. S. Taylor) on 4th November.
Major Beamish asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that it is now 10 months since the vesting date, there is any reason for the further postponement of the setting-up of the Consultative Councils as laid down in Clause 7 of the Electricity Act, 1947, and on what date these councils will be formed.
Mr. Gaitskell: I have recently ap- pointed the Consultative Councils for the South Eastern, South Wales and York- shire Electricity Areas and I expect that
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the Councils for the Eastern and South East Scotland Electricity Areas will be appointed in the next few days. The remainder of the Councils will be ap- pointed very soon, probably before the end of the year.
COAL INDUSTRY Anthracite Supplies
5. Mr. Baldwin asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that there is a shortage of anthracite fuel suitable for certain types of cookers in the Hereford district; and whether, in view of the effect this is having on these cookers, which are economical in fuel consumption, he will have steps taken to remedy the position.
Mr. Gaitskell: For the reason given in my reply to the hon. Member for Hunt- ingdon (Mr. Renton) on 25th November, anthracite supplies are not sufficient to meet all demands in the home market, but I have no reason to believe that the shortage is more acute in the Here- ford district. than elsewhere. If, however, the hon. Member will let me have details of any particular case where anthracite is essential and cannot be obtained, I will try and arrange for this fuel to be sup- plied. But coke which is plentiful at present can be used in most cookers.
Oil from Coal (Research)
10. Mr. Elwyn Jones asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what research is being carried out in this country on production of synthetic oil from coal; and what are His Majesty's Government's plans for the development of such production, in view of the availability of coal and the lack of indigenous oil supplies.
Mr. Gaitskell: Experiments have been carried out at the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Indus- trial Research over several years and are being continued. The staff of that station has also investigated processes operated on a considerable scale in Germany and keeps in close touch with work in the U.S.A. As regards the second part of the Question, the possibilities of produc- ing oil from coal are under constant re- view. While technical developments