§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the Minister of Transport whether contracts have been made in pursuance of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926, for laying cables underground; if so, in what localities; and what is the estimated or contract price for such work per mile as compared with that of carrying such cables above ground?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThe Central Electricity Board inform me that they have entered into contracts for laying three experimental lengths—totalling about 12 route miles—of main transmission cables in the London area; that the estimated cost for double circuit underground cables is £30,000 per mile in round figures and for single circuit underground cables £15,000 per mile in round figures; and that these amounts are from eight to ten times more than the cost of the erection of double circuit and single circuit overhead lines respectively. It should be understood that these lengths are about to be laid as an experiment in areas where there are alternative means of supply.