Mr. Vaneasked the Paymaster-General how far the five experimental schemes employing the Lloyd-Mandeno single-wire earth return have progressed; in which counties they are sited; and when he expects to be able to make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudlingThis work is being carried out by the industry as part of its normal programme of research and development and it will therefore be for the industry to announce the results. I am informed, however, that these schemes—of which two are in Dorset and one each in Buckingham, Somerset and Wiltshire—have so far been operating satisfactorily. It is intended to bring a further seven schemes into operation before attempting to draw firm conclusions from the programme and the results are not therefore likely to be available before next summer.