HC Deb 05 May 1952 vol 500 cc7-8
15. Commander J. F. W. Maitland

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give directions to the British Electricity Authority that they should consider the use of light roadside high tension lines with very small transformers to supply isolated houses and cottages and to employ combined construction where the high tension line passes several premises; and if he is aware that this method is extensively used on the Continent and in the United States of America for dealing with the supply of electricity to sparsely populated areas.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

A light and economical overhead line with small transformers is already widely used in this country. Also combined construction for high and low voltage lines is adopted wherever it is practicable.

Commander Maitland

Will the Minister consider extending that, particularly to the Eastern Counties, where we have very widely scattered districts and we need electricity in the countryside very badly indeed?

Mr. Gerald Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the British Electricity Authority could study with profit the Anglo-American Productivity Report on the transmission and generation of electricity, thereby embodying these important American principles which are so sorely lacking in this country?

Mr. E. Shinwell

Is it not true that the British Electricity Authority have already adopted this method in some parts of the country?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir. If my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) desires further information on this point, I hope that he will put down a Question, but my information is that this is being widely used at present.

Mr. Julian Snow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the method is not widely used in the particular case to which I drew his attention affecting the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth a little while ago?