asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the progress of his studies into the potential of a hydro-electric scheme on Severnside in association with a new road crossing of the estuary and the construction of a new international airport.

Studies on the possibilities for tidal power generation in the Severn Estuary are being carried out for the Severn Barrage committee under the chairmanship of Sir Herman Bondi. Work at this stage is being concentrated on the energy aspects of the Severn Estuary.