HC Deb 17 November 1955 vol 546 c62W
Major W. Hicks Beach

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an estimate of the cost of installing Grid Line 275 kV.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

The estimated cost per mile is £25,000 for a double circuit line with twin conductors of 0.4 sq. in. and voltage 275/380 kV.; and £16,000 for a double circuit line with single conductor of 0.175 sq. in. and 275 kV.

Major W. Hicks Beach

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in continuing to authorise Grid Line 275 kV through Gloucestershire, and in particular the Cotswold Hills, he has taken into account the fact that coal sources of energy will become redundant in favour of nuclear energy within the forseeable future.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

As explained in the White Paper on Nuclear Power (Cmd. 9389), coal sources of energy will not become redundant within the foreseeable future, and in any case the grid system will be needed to distribute electricity whether produced from coal or nuclear power.