§ 111. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what technical improvements have been made by the British Electricity Authority; and what is the amount of efficiency of generation achieved at steam power stations in this country.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI understand that in spite of the large amount of old plant which is still in use, the average efficiency of the steam stations of the British Electricity Authority in the 12 months ended 30th June, 1950, was 21.41 per cent. The average efficiency in the 12 months which preceded vesting was 20.8 per cent. The present programme of new plant up to and including 1954 provides for 7 million kilowatts of additional power. This plant will all have an efficiency higher than the present average, which I have given above. Some of the stations will, it is hoped, have an efficiency of 29 per cent.
For other information, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Annual Report of the British Electricity Authority for 1949–50, which will be published tomorrow.