HC Deb 19 July 1949 vol 467 cc1151-2
34. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Lord President of the Council, whether the new tidal model of the proposed Severn Barrage has now been completed; and whether he can now make a report on the matter.

35. Mrs. Middleton

asked the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made with the model of the estuary of the River Severn, which is being constructed in order to determine whether the proposal to harness the tidal powers of the Severn for the production of electricity by means of the construction of a barrage across the estuary is practicable.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. William Whiteley)

I have been asked to reply. Preliminary work is being done towards the building of the model of the estuary of the River Severn; the building itself will begin when the new hydraulic research station is ready. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman) on 12th May, 1949, a site for the station has been chosen and negotiations for its acquisition are proceeding.

Mr. Freeman

Will my right hon. Friend say when this model is likely to be completed and when he will be in a position to give us a full report on the matter?

Mr. Whiteley

It is hoped that the building of the station will start early in 1950, and it should be completed in two years. The construction of the Severn large model will take probably another year after that.

Mrs. Middleton

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that if this project is carried through successfully it would be a great tribute to the enterprise and efficiency of the British engineering industry, and would he not ask my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council to push forward this project with that consideration in mind?

Mr. Whiteley

Yes, I think that consideration is very much in mind.