asked the Minister of Transport whether during the last six months he has given consideration to the urgency of placing electric wires and cables underground; and will he inform the House what steps his Department intend to take in this matter?

My right hon. Friend has this matter continually in mind, but he is satisfied that the practical objections are such as to outweigh the advantages.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that even wires which are used for the control of anti-aircraft guns and searchlights are at present laid above ground, and would it not be necessary to put at least that system of communication below ground?

Every case is considered on its merits. It is a very expensive business putting high tension lines underground, and another thing is that the voltage, I understand, is inclined to get very much less than if you put it above ground.

Is it not less expensive to do this work than to keep hundreds of thousands of men lying idle?