§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Power what he estimates to be the reduction in capital cost and running costs by the use of polythene tape cable, the use of compressed gas cable and also the use of superconducting cable, respectively, in place of extra-high-voltage conventional cables.
§ Mr. FreesonAll the suggested alternative types of cable are still the subject of research and development. It is too early to give meaningful estimates of possible savings.
§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Power how much money has been spent on research into extra-high-voltage cables, with a view to reducing the cost of placing these cables underground.
§ Mr. FreesonThe major part of the research and development on under-412W ground cables referred to in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 22nd November [Vol. 754, c. 388] relates to work on extra-high-voltage cables, and the expenditure has been of this order for several years.
§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Power what proportion of the money spent on research into extra-high-voltage cables by the Central Electricity Generating Board, is spent on polythene tape cable, compressed gas cable and superconducting cable, respectively; also on improving conventional oil-impregnated paper cable systems and other novel cable insulation systems.
§ Mr. FreesonThe C.E.G.B. assure my right hon. Friend that the various types of cable referred to are receiving due attention in their research and development effort, and he does not consider it would be useful to require a more detailed return of their expenditure under these heads.