HC Deb 29 April 1958 vol 587 cc166-7
11. Mr. Braine

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what inquiries are being sponsored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research into commercially useful methods for the hydraulic transport of solids.

Mr. H. Nicholls

The British Hydro-mechanics Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has, through research on the hydraulic transport of solids, considerably advanced the basic knowledge necessary before this form of transport can be a commercial proposition, and the results are being applied by British industry.

Mr. Braine

Can my hon. Friend say to what extent these results have been applied by British industry in any detail?

Mr. Nicholls

They are being applied, and a good example at the moment is the removal of spoil from the new tunnel which is being constructed at Purfleet. Experiments are going on, and have been for some time, in the mining industry, and they show some promise.