§ 44. Sir Hugh Lucas-Toothasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many electricity supply authorities have initiated schemes whereby any necessary load-shedding cuts are arranged so as to fall upon particular groups of consumers, whether domestic or industrial, within their areas on a specified day or days of the week; how many authorities have not initiated such schemes; and what method is being used to bring particulars of each such scheme to the knowledge of the individuals affected.
§ Mr. RobensPrecise information is not available as to how many of the 570 electricity undertakings have adopted a rota system of load shedding, but the system has certainly been widely adopted by undertakings throughout the country for at least a part of their load. All large industrial firms affected have been notified individually; the remainder have been notified either by post or by advertisement in the local Press.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothDoes the Parliamentary Secretary agree that these schemes can make a great contribution to public convenience as well as to the economising of electricity if they are widely known to the domestic consumer? Is he aware of the widespread ignorance on the part of the public about the very existence of such schemes, and will he do his best to bring to the notice of the public generally knowledge of the operation of the schemes?
§ Mr. RobensThere should be no ignorance on the part of the public where undertakings have introduced this system, as it has been widely advertised in the local Press. There are technical difficulties about making this a rigid national scheme.