§ 25. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what programme he has for harnessing wind, water power, &c., in order to increase the supply of electric power for facilitating the delivery of plant, for ensuring earlier delivery dates, and for the construction of power houses; what increase he expects to achieve annually; and when it is expected that the supply of power will meet the demand.
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§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe British Electricity Authority, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, and the Electrical Research Association are all experimenting in the use of wind for power. The Hydro-Electric Board are rapidly expanding the use of water power in Northern Scotland; the B.E.A. are studying its use elsewhere.
But much the greater part of our electricity must be supplied from thermal stations using coal. I hope that 1,100 megawatts of new capacity will be commissioned this year; this rate of commissioning should increase to 1,400 megawatts by 1954.