§ 15. Mr. Edeasked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet circulated to the associations he intends consulting his proposals for legislation on the supply side of the electrical industry, and, if not, when he expects to circulate them; and will he simultaneously publish the proposals so that the consuming public may have knowledge of them?
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Hore-Belisha)In accordance with the statement I made in the House, I have now circulated to associations representative of 175 electricity supply, of local authorities and of industry and agriculture who are interested on behalf of consumers, a memorandum outlining the proposals of His Majesty's Government for reorganising electricity supply. I do not propose to publish the memorandum.
§ Mr. EdeWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the difficulties that are created in local authorities when a Member may desire to discuss this matter at a meeting of the authority, if he has to refer to a document which is still regarded as confidential?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI shall be happy to consider any representations which the hon. Member may make to me. I have circulated a memorandum to the representative bodies, and, of course, they will consult their constituent bodies. If there is any difficulty, I am most anxious to remove it.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsWhy has not the right hon. Gentleman circulated the Trades Union Congress? He has circulated about 18 or 20 bodies. Why has he left out the Trades Union Congress?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIf the Trades Union Congress desire to make representations, I shall be only too happy to have them. My one desire has been to circulate the representative bodies interested in electricity supply.
§ Mr. GriffithsThe Trades Union Congress are interested—very much so.