HC Deb 13 November 1945 vol 415 cc1893-4
14. Mr. Dye

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will arrange for the existing electricity cable to the village of Weeting, Norfolk, to be used to supply the new council houses about to be erected and also other houses in the village pending some agreement with the Ministry of Labour who have some interest in this supply cable.

Mr. Shinwell

I understand that the East Anglian Electricity Supply Company are prepared to tap this electric cable to afford supplies to the houses referred to if satisfactory arrangements can be made with the War Office who are the owners of the line. I have taken the matter up with the War Office and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-Brown

Is the Minister aware that the other houses in this Question are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works, and that the cable company sent a letter six months ago, and have had no reply?

Mr. Shinwell

I would like to see that question on the Order Paper.

16. Mr. Cook

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state the peak load requirements in the country of electric power and the peak load supplies available.

Mr. Shinwell

It is estimated that the peak load on the national grid system during the coming winter will be between 8,500,000 and 9,000,000 kilowatts, according to weather conditions. The available output capacity of the generating; plant is not likely to exceed 8,600,000 kilowatts.

17. Mr. Cook

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state the peak load requirements in Scotland of electric power and the peak load supplies available.

Mr. Shinwell

It is estimated that the peak load on that portion of the national grid system which is in Scotland during the coming winter will be between 775,000 and 825,000 kilowatts according to weather conditions. The available output capacity of the generating plant is not likely to exceed 790,000 kilowatts. It should be observed, however, that the national grid system is operated as one unit over the whole country and it is not always possible, therefore, to treat separately supplies in Scotland.

Mr. Cook

Could the Minister tell us just what he means by "weather conditions"?

Mr. Shinwell

I should have thought that the term was quite familiar to every hon. Member.

18. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that electric power is supplied to R.A.F. stations and military establishments in remote rural areas, but that farms and dwelling-houses in such neighbourhoods are commonly without electricity; and if, as these establishments and camps become redundant, he will take steps to secure the electric plant and equipment that have been required hitherto for military purposes and use them for the speediest possible general electrification of the countryside.

Mr. Shinwell

I agree that wherever practicable electric plant and equipment hitherto required for military purposes should be used for the development of rural supplies. It has been arranged that Service Departments will notify the Electricity Commissioners of any cases where the local undertaking concerned does not wish to take them over. The Commissioners do everything possible to promote the use of this equipment for civilian purposes.

Mr. Driberg

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a cottage in my constituency where the Air Force, greatly to the embarrassment of the inhabitants, have installed a red lamp actually on the roof—a red landing light—while inside the cottage the inhabitants still have only paraffin lamps? Will he use every endeavour to expedite this matter?

Mr. Shinwell

I should prefer to see particulars of that specific instance, so that I can bring it to the notice of the appropriate authorities.