§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Energy when the project for an undersea electricity link between Great Britain and France was first proposed; what is his latest estimate of the date of commencement of the partial operation of the link; when it will come fully into service; and what is his latest estimate of the cost of construction.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe right hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benn) gave the Central Electricity Generating Board approval in principle for the construction of the cross-Channel electricity link in August 1978. The link is planned to begin partial operation in autumn 1985 and to come fully into service a year later. The latest estimate of the cost of construction of the link is approximately £600 million, of which the CEGB's share is some £300 million at todays prices.