HC Deb 05 December 1949 vol 470 cc1510-1
19. Sir Arnold Gridley

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the boiler-house equipment at Bankside was designed for oil-fuel burning and not for burning coal, or for both methods.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Gaitskell)

Coal firing, by itself or as an alternative to oil, would require installations for unloading, handling and stacking coal and the disposal of ash, and also a higher boiler-house than in the case of oil firing. It was felt accordingly that coal firing would conflict with the general desire that the design of the station should be in keeping with other plans for improving this section of the river bank.

20. Sir A. Gridley

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what number of units generated per annum is estimated at Bankside power station, assuming a 40 per cent. load factor.

Mr. Gaitskell

Eight hundred and forty million units when the station is completed.

Sir A. Gridley

Is the Minister aware that, as a result of the decision to burn oil fuel, there will be an increased cost of production of approximately one-tenth of a penny per unit on these 840 million units, and does that mean that a very great cost will have to be borne by the consumers?

Mr. Gaitskell

Yes, Sir, the hon. Member's figures are approximately correct. That was taken into account at the time when the decision was made, but it was felt that the amenity grounds were sufficiently strong to justify this increased cost.

21. Sir A. Gridley

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet received the final results of the experiments undertaken with regard to the elimination of deleterious effects from the burning of oil fuel at the Bankside power station; and how far they are conclusive that no deleterious effects need be feared.

Mr. Gaitskell

The report on the experiments made has been received and is at present under consideration. As I have explained in previous answers, the experiments were not for the purpose of finding out whether sulphur fumes could be effectively eliminated, about which there was no doubt, but to discover which method was most suitable.

Sir A. Gridley

Have they yet been successful?

Mr. Gaitskell

Oh yes, there are two methods and the purpose of the experiments was to see which was the more appropriate and cheaper.