§ 47. Mr. MacLarenasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of water-power for generating electricity, he will take immediate action to bring all possible sources of waterpower under national ownership?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that any case exists for immediate action to bring the sources of water-power under national ownership. The Water Power Resources Committee which reported in 1921 recommended that provision should be made for the ultimate acquisition by the State of all water-power undertakings of substantial size established in the future. In accordance with that recommendation, the Board of Trade now invariably take steps to secure the insertion 756 in Bills establishing such an undertaking of a clause giving the Government the option of purchasing it after a stated period on stated terms.