§ 104. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Transport whether permission has been granted for the city of Bristol to proceed with their new electrical works scheme at Portishead before the Bill sanctioning the undertaking has been before this House?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf, as I presume, my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the application made by the Corporation of Bristol to the Electricity Commissioners under Section 11 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, for consent to the erection of a new generating station at Portishead, I may say that I am informed by the Commissioners that no decision on this application has yet been reached.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that already they have commenced operations in connection with this scheme and it does come under his Department? Is he not allowed to give them permission, especially having reference to the Severn barrage, into which he is still inquiring?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not aware that they have commenced operations, but perhaps the hon. Member will communicate with me.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the right hon. Gentleman going to allow £1,000,000 to be be spent on one side of the river when he proposes to spend a much larger sum to do the same work on the other side of the river?