§ 44 Mr. Currieasked the Paymaster-General (1) what is the estimated cost of an undersea power cable for the bulk supply of electrical energy to Northern Ireland from south-west Scotland;
(2) what is the estimated charge, per 100,000 units, which would require to be made for the supply of electrical current from the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland by means of a submarine cable;
(3) what consideration has been given by Her Majesty's Government, in conjunction with the Governments of Northern Ireland and Eire, to the possibility of extending the national electricity grid so as to include Northern Ireland and Eire; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir I. HorobinThere have been no recent discussions between Governments. This project was considered by the Government of Northern Ireland a few years ago but was judged to be uneconomic in the circumstances then prevailing. Further exchanges have now taken place between the Northern Ireland and South of Scotland Electricity Authorities and my noble Friend understands that the Northern Ireland Authorities will shortly 630 be making a further study of the problems involved in conjunction with the British Electricity Authorities. I would ask my hon. Friend to await the results of this investigation.