A study of a direct methanol alkaline fuel cell (DMAFC) operating with sodium conducting membranes is reported. Evaluation of the fuel cell was performed using membrane electrode assemblies incorporating carbon supported platinum catalysts and Nafion (R) 117 and 112 membranes. A membrane electrode assembly was also prepared by the direct chemical deposition of platinum into the surface region of the membrane. Evaluation of the chemically deposited assembly showed it to be less active than those based on carbon supported catalysts. SEM & TEM analysis indicate that this behaviour is due to the low surface area of the chemically deposited catalyst layer. The fuel cell performance with Nafion membranes is reported and is not as good as achieved with hydroxide ion conducting membranes suggesting that Nafion may not be suitable for DMAFC operation.