§ 32. Captain PEAKEasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that electrical development in rural areas is being retarded as a result of the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of the West Midland Joint Electricity Authority v. Pitt and others; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation at an early date to deal with the situation that has arisen?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMAs my hon. Friend is aware, the decision to which he refers does not affect the rights of electricity supply undertakers to apply, if necessary, for consents to wayleaves required for electrical development in rural areas. It required an alteration in the procedure for determining any disputes as to the compensation to be paid for such wayleaves, and my hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, is aware that fears have been expressed that this alteration may involve certain difficulties. In his view, there has not yet been sufficient experience of the new procedure to indicate whether further legislation would be desirable.
§ Sir W. WAYLANDIs not my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the bulk supply of electricity in rural areas has, so far, been a total failure?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI think that that is a matter of opinion.