§ 24. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will direct the electricity supply authorities to transform current on the three-phase circuit and abolish the single phase which is involving farmers and others, who wish to use electric power, in heavy expense and delay in the special wiring of electric motors.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Gaitskell)No, Sir. This is a technical matter which, I feel, should be left to the electricity boards to decide in carrying out their statutory duties.
§ Mr. YorkIs the Minister prepared to advise the boards to carry on the same system which was used by the private power companies that when a supply is changed machinery is changed without cost to the consumers?
§ Mr. GaitskellI think that should be left to negotiation between the board concerned and the consumer.
§ Mr. MikardoAre not the unfortunate conditions described in the Question proof of how right the Government were to nationalise the industry?
§ Mr. HurdIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that today a great many users in rural areas need more power than they did five years ago and that this is a growing problem?
§ Mr. GaitskellYes, Sir, and we are naturally anxious to provide farmers with electricity, but the particular point about 1150 the system to be adopted is a highly controversial matter and should be left to the experts.