asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any plants have yet been established by the Government' or by the gas companies for the distillation of oil from cannel coal and shale; and how much oil has up to the present been produced?

The distillation of oil from cannel coal in gas retorts is proceeding, and a number of gas works are being fitted with the necessary subsidiary plant for extending the use of this process. It is not desirable in the public interest to state the quantity of oil produced, or likely to be produced, by this means.