§ 32. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can now make a statement on the Report on the Severn Barrage Scheme; and if he will ask the committee or appoint others to investigate the practicability of preparing similar schemes for the Rivers Conway, Dee and Mersey and for harnessing the tides at Morecambe and the Solway.
§ Mr. T. SmithMy right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on the report on the Severn Barrage Scheme which is under active consideration. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's answer to his question on 3rd October last.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithSeeing that it has taken over 10 years to produce a report on the Severn, has not the time arrived when further investigation should be made into the practicability of harnessing the rivers mentioned in the Question?
§ Mr. T. SmithI can assure my hon. Friend that the Severn Barrage Scheme is being actively considered at the moment, and the extra powers which are being asked for are also under consideration.