§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Power, what research has been carried out on the magneto-hydro-dynamic method of getting energy direct from coal without using turbines and generators.
§ Mr. MarshThe Central Electricity Generating Board carried out work in collaboration with the National Coal Board, the electrical plant manufacturers and the boiler makers on large-scale experimental plant for the magnetohydro-dynamic generation of electricity. While the potential advantages of this method made it well worth investigating on this scale, the Board has reported to me that the economic benefit to be derived now proves not to justify the cost of the further development which would220W be required to solve the difficult technical questions involved. Work has, therefore, been suspended.