HC Deb 15 July 1936 vol 314 cc2041-2
57. Captain RAMSAY

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Victoria Falls Power Company now finds it cheaper to produce electrical power from coal than from water; whether he will have the matter examined with a view to determining whether this company's plant is in advance of that of companies producing power from coal in Great Britain; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that a science so vital to our coalfields is immediately brought up to date?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

As the price of local coal in that part of the company's area, where coal is used for generating, costs from 1s. 10d. to 4s. per ton delivered, my hon. and gallant friend will appreciate that it would be unsound to generalise from such a particular.

Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Victoria Falls Power Company have ever found it cheaper to produce from water, since they have never produced power from water at any time?

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