HC Deb 19 October 1949 vol 468 cc526-7
4. Mr. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that no progress is being made with the provision of a main supply of electricity for Lambourn Woodlands and Woodlands St. Mary in Berkshire because of the unwillingness of his Department to assist the Southern Electricity Board in providing a supply line at reasonable cost close to Membury airfield; and if he will review the problem again so that the local residents may obtain the electricity supply promised to them.

Mr. A. Henderson

I can assure the hon. Member that the lack of provision of main supply of electricity to the two villages referred to is not due to any unwillingness on the part of my Department to assist the Southern Electricity Board. Under existing Government policy the provision of such supply is a matter entirely for the Southern Electricity Board, and I regret I have no power to make ex gratia payments in cases such as the present.

Mr. Hurd

Does the Minister really think that it is reasonable that these villagers, because they happen to live near an airfield, should be denied indefinitely a public supply of electricity at a reasonable cost, and will he carry out the suggestion in the second part of my Question and see whether some compromise can be reached with the Electricity Board?

Mr. Henderson

I am given to understand that the difficulty in this case is not by reason of the requirements of my Department that the cable should be installed underground. I understand that the hon. Gentleman himself has been informed by the chairman of the Southern Electricity Board that even if the Air Ministry were to waive their requirements the extension could only be undertaken at a loss which the Board are not prepared to incur.