§ 56. Captain RAMSAYasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that Switzerland and Norway import coal 402 for the generation of electricity although plenty of water power is available, and that the price of Scottish coal imported into the Irish Free State has been advanced by 2s. per ton at the request of the promoters of the Shannon electricity works in order to permit them to compete in power production with power produced from this coal, will he state how costs of production of power from coal in Great Britain compare with corresponding costs in the aforementioned countries?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe Electricity Commissioners inform me that sufficient data are not available upon which to base a reliable comparison.
§ Captain RAMSAYIn view of the fact that there seems to be ample evidence that all these countries can produce power more cheaply by coal, and imported coal at that, will my right hon. Friend have inquiries made to see, in the first place, whether we are behind other countries in the production of power from coal, and, if not, whether proper encouragement will be given to companies producing power from coal in Great Britain?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI shall be glad to send any information I may receive of possible interest to my hon. and gallant Friend in regard to the points mentioned by him.