HC Deb 16 January 1945 vol 407 cc18-9
32. Mr. Higgs

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what new capacity has been added to the selected generating stations since 1939.

Major Lloyd George

The new plant which has been brought into commission in selected generating stations between 1st January, 1940, and 31st December, 1944, is approximately 2,650,000 kilowatts.

Mr. Higgs

Is the Minister aware that it was stated in the Press this month that the breaking point was 8.4 million kilowatts, and it is well known that the total plant plus that on order before the war was 8.6 million kilowatts? How does he account for that discrepancy?

Major Lloyd George

The new plant to which I have just referred is about equal to the increased demand since the war, but difficulty arises owing to the fact that the labour for maintenance is not as great as it was before the war.

Mr. Higgs

But the figures I have quoted show that there has been no increase in plant although there has been an addition of 2,000,000 kilowatts and over.