I WAS very interested to read that the E. coli bacterium can now be harnessed to provide propane and as this is a reasonably low-carbon fuel, there are obvious benefits to be obtained.

Nature Communications says it could be ten years before commercial production begins, presumably because of the required funding, so surely this is one area where Government should step in and remove a small percentage from overseas aid budgets, to help the process along?

Maybe Prof Hugh Pennington could put his “oar in” and also jog Government?

BARRY BURTON, Fareham.