§ Mr. MILLSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will re-examine the proposed River Severn barrage scheme outlined by a former Minister of. Transport, find examine it in the light of the 1576W grave unemployment problem of to-day as a possible scheme to absorb skilled men on skilled work?
Mr. WEBBTile question of utilising the tides for power purposes was considered carefully by the Water Power Resources Committee with particular reference to the Severn. The Committee decided that further investigation of a number of physical and technical questions was necessary before a final conclusion could be made as to the practicability, from a commercial standpoint, of generating power from the tides. They recommended that a Special Technical Commission of Inquiry should be appointed for the purpose, but owing to the financial stringency, it was not found possible to set up such a Commission. The Committee's suggestion has, however, been kept in mind, and it will be reconsidered when conditions are more suitable. The preliminary investigations required would necessarily extend over a considerable period, and the scheme, even if it were ultimately found to be practicable, is therefore not one which could be utilised to reduce unemployment existing at present or in the near future.