§ 48. Sir Stanley Reedasked the Lord President of the Council whether the long list of projects, buildings, roads, railways, afforestation schemes, ports, airfields, industrial plants, national parks and public buildings, etc., blueprinted and prepared, includes the Severn barrage and hydroelectric scheme; and if the new tidal model recommended by the expert committee which investigated the plan will be undertaken.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Shinwell)I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. The Severn barrage scheme, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, is a long term project requiring an estimated period of about eight years for completion, and involving not only very heavy capital expenditure, but also extensive calls on skilled manpower and on building and constructional materials at present in very short supply. For these reasons alone, apart from the important technical and economic problems arising out of it, the scheme is not one which can be regarded as immediately practicable. The question of a tidal model is receiving close consideration by the Departments concerned.
§ Sir S. ReedDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that no decision can be reached until a tidal model is constructed, which will take at least two years, and that with coal at its present and prospective price this scheme will be the cheapest means in the country of generating electricity?
§ Mr. ShinwellAs regards the tidal model, I intend to press for that matter to be considered.