§ 26. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Power if he will list the cases where electricity lines carrying 132 kilovolts or above have been placed underground to avoid the erection of pylons in order to overcome interference with amenities or areas of great natural beauty.
§ Mr. FreesonThere are 700 miles of such cable underground, including cable in built up areas, but as the information asked for is not readily available I will write to the hon. Member about it as soon as possible.
§ Mr. IrvineWill the Minister bear in mind that there are several sections of the proposed line from Ninfield to Crow-borough which it might be suitable to add to the list, and will he give careful consideration to the representations being made to him by the various parishes on that line?
§ Mr. FreesonI will certainly undertake to give careful consideration to any representations on this matter, as on similar matters.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithCan the Minister say how much money is being spent on research into ways and means of reducing the cost of placing electricity lines underground?
§ Mr. FreesonI cannot say what the expenditure is, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that a considerable amount of research is going on all the time in this direction.