§ 7. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the investigation into the Severn Estuary Barrage Scheme is being treated as a matter of urgency; when he expects to receive the Report; will he ask the committee to consider further schemes or appoint another committee to give consideration to methods and the best sites for utilising the power of the tides; and if he is satisfied that we are making all possible preparations for hydro-electric power production as soon as possible after the war.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe investigation into the Severn Barrage Scheme is being treated as a matter of urgency, and I hope to receive a report within the next two or three months. Until I have been able to consider the report, I do not think I should be justified in initiating investigations into tidal power schemes elsewhere. As regards non-tidal hydroelectric schemes, the main field of potential development is in the North of Scotland. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to the hon. Member for Inverness and the Western Isles (Mr. M. MacMillan) on 25th April.