§ 19. Captain RONALD HENDERSONasked the Minister of Transport the cost of transmitting electricity from Didcot to Clifton Hampden, crossing the River Thames by overhead and underground lines, respectively?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI understand that at the inquiry held into this application the applicants stated that they estimated that the cost of crossing the River Thames by underground lines would be about £550 more than by overhead lines.
§ Captain HENDERSONIs the Minister aware that this decision will throw extra expense on people who require electricity, and will also lead to considerable disfigurement of the Thames through the use of overhead wires, which involves the erection of considerable apparatus, of poles, and so on?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. It is because I wish to avoid the disfigurement of the Thames that I insisted on the lines being carried underground. As to the increased cost to the consumer, the amount I mentioned is infinitesimal compared with the whole cost of the undertaking.