§ 47. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Power what research has been or is being carried out into more economic methods of carrying electric power lines underground; and what progress has been made.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)The Electricity Council and the boards aim to reduce the cost of moving electricity underground by the use of alternative insulating materials, and by research to discover what cheaper cables and methods of installation might be suitable. I hope that the wide difference in cost may be reduced, but there is no real prospect that the use of underground cables will ever be as cheap as overhead lines, especially at high voltages.
§ Mr. RobinsonWould not the Minister agree that if the present trend of increasing electricity consumption continues there is a serious risk that the whole countryside will become a network of pylons and overhead cables? In view of the consequent damage to amenities, is the Minister satisfied that enough effort is being put into this research, which could produce wonderful results if it were pursued to a successful conclusion?
§ Mr. WoodThe hon. Member has drawn our attention to a risk which we all want to avoid. I am convinced that a great deal of effort is being put into 31 this, and I am also convinced, after having had expert advice, that it is unlikely—especially at the high grid voltages—that the cost of putting the cables underground can be brought down to anything less than about ten times the cost of overhead cables