HC Deb 20 February 1956 vol 549 c14
13. Mr. Neal

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what experiments in the generation of electricity by windmill are now continuing under the sponsorship of, or in co-operation with, his Department; and if he will make a statement on their progress.

Mr. Aubrey Jones

My Department is sponsoring a programme of research which the Electrical Research Association is carrying out at its Cranfield station, into the possibilities of generating electricity by windpower on a commercial scale. The Department has also been contributing towards the cost of testing two large experimental windmills in other parts of the country.

Mr. Neal

Has the right hon. Gentleman had sufficient time to form an opinion whether this experiment has been financially worth while? Has it developed to such a stage that we might offer it as a going concern to those of our overseas territories which are without natural fuel resources?

Mr. Jones

I think that the experiment has been going sufficiently long to enable one to conclude that its likely contribution towards coal economy is small—no more than between 2 million and 5 million tons of coal a year.