HC Deb 15 April 1948 vol 449 cc1151-2
29. Mr. Charles Williams

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for how long he proposes to prohibit the use of windmills to produce power for lighting purposes.

Mr. Gaitskell

No such prohibition exists. It is the use of electricity for business advertising which is at present illegal.

Mr. Williams

If the Minister enforces this regulation in my constituency for the purpose of preventing the practical use of enterprise, will he give me an assurance that he will not continue enlarging this interference with initiative? In the second place, will he assure me that he will not enforce the same punishment for breaking this regulation as was used for the enforcement of the Edicts of Diocletian?

Mr. Gaitskell

I consider that if we are to waste electricity there are many better things we can do with it before we go in for advertising. As the hon. Member knows perfectly well, the only purpose of this restriction is to save fuel.

Mr. Williams

This is not for advertising but for the purpose of cheerfulness and providing brighter streets.

Mr. Gaitskell

If it is not for the purpose of advertising, it is not prohibited.

Mr. Peter Thorneycroft

Could the Minister explain what is the object in this? Why is he preventing these people from lighting up these windows when they are using no fuel at all?

Mr. Gaitskell

It is impossible to draw the line between the use of batteries, windmills, diesel generating sets and mains for this Purpose, and if we were to relax the regulation under one of those heads it would be extremely difficult to enforce it under the others.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does not the Minister's answer mean that it is perfectly legal to manufacture electricity so long as one does not use it? Is not that a fantastic and absurd measure?

Mr. Gaitskell

The hon. Member should know that electricity cannot be manufactured without being used up.

Mr. Nicholson

Will the Minister remember that this year is the fourth centenary of Don Quixote?

Mr. Williams

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment, on a suitable occasion.