§ 17. Mr. Higgsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the approximate percentage of the area of Great Britain which has no public supply of electricity from the grid.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe only district in Great Britain in which the Central Electricity Board, the owner of the grid, does not operate is the North of Scotland, which is covered by the provisions of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act, 1943. The area of this district is about 23 per cent. of Great Britain and its population about 1½ per cent. Inside the grid area, however, there are numerous small rural districts which do not receive a public supply. I am unable to say exactly what percentage of the total population is at present within the area of public supply of electricity, but I am advised that it is certainly in excess of 90 per cent.
§ Mr. HiggsDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman intend to take any action to give a supply to these outlying districts at a reasonable price?
§ Mr. McKinlayIs the firm of the ex-chairman of the Electricity Board supplied from the grid?