HC Deb 26 March 1974 vol 871 cc83-4W
Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a progress report upon the research and development work, supported by public funds, into magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) generation.

Mr. Eadie

There is no significant research programme on MHD supported by public funds in the United Kingdom, so a progress report is not appropriate at the present time.

Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what sum of money has been spent in research by the CEGB on research into MHD generation; and with what result.

Mr. Eadie

No precise figure is available to me, but approximately £3 million was spent in total by the CEGB. The CEGB experiment was terminated before completion when it became evident that MHD generators had no chance of being economically attractive. The CEGB does keep the economics of MHD under review.

Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will ensure that before any further public money is spent on research into MHD generation account is taken of experience gained through such research in other countries.

Mr. Eadie

I know of no plans for substantial research on MHD in the public sector. Officials of my Department and of the Central Electricity Generating Board are aware of developments in other countries.