NOVELTY - A methanol steam reforming catalyst comprises aluminum alloy particles having an oxide surface layer (2), prepared by leaching with an aqueous alkali solution. The oxide surface layer comprises an oxide of aluminum and an oxide of transition metal. Fine copper particles (3) are dispersed and formed on the surface of the aluminum alloy particles by adjusting the conditions for leaching treatment.    USE - For methanol steam reforming, and for fuel cell, methanol synthesis, water gas shift reaction, and hydrogenation and hydrocracking of organic compound.    ADVANTAGE - The novel catalyst has high activity, excellent thermal resistance and durability. The catalyst is produced easily, inexpensively and simply.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A methanol steam reforming catalyst comprises aluminum alloy particles having an oxide surface layer (2), prepared by leaching with an aqueous alkali solution. The aluminum alloy particles are formed by pulverizing a bulky aluminum alloy having a quasi crystalline or a related crystalline phase represented by relation: Al(100-y-z)CuyTMz (where y is 10-30 atom%, z is 5-20 atom% and TM is at least one of transition metal excluding copper). The oxide surface layer comprises an oxide of aluminum and an oxide of transition metal. Fine copper particles (3) are dispersed and formed on the surface of the aluminum alloy particles by adjusting the conditions for leaching treatment. The leached aluminum alloy particles are heated in an oxidizing atmosphere to convert some or all of the fine copper particles to fine copper oxide particles (5).    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of manufacture of the above methanol steam reforming catalyst.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the surface structure of catalyst particles in manufacture of the above catalyst. (Drawing includes non-English language text).    oxide surface layer (2)    copper particle (3)    oxide layer (4)    copper oxide fine particle (5)    transition metal oxide nano particle (6)