§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the research which the electricity supply industry is now doing on the direct generation of electricity.
§ Mr. PeytonThe Central Electricity Generating Board has decided to proceed with a large-scale experiment to 339W establish the feasibility of a magneto-hydrodynamic generator. The experiment is being undertaken in association with electrical plant manufacturers, the Water-Tube Boiler Makers' Association and the National Coal Board, and the expected expenditure is about £2 million in the next 3 or 4 years. If the research is successful, the MHD generator used in conjunction with conventional steam-raising plant would give higher efficiencies of electricity generation than are obtainable with the steam cycle alone.