24. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that there will be no cut in capital expenditure in respect of electricity requirements.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI am glad to assure the hon. Lady that there is no intention to cut the total annual capital expenditure for electricity supply below the present rate. But the proposals put forward by the electricity boards must be considered in conjunction with proposals for capital expenditure on all other essential requirements, and I could not give an assurance that all their proposals will be accepted for immediate execution without amendment.
Miss WardIn view of the fact that Lord Citrine has stated that the industry is being planned out of existence, will the Minister consider handing it back to private enterprise before the lights go out?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am afraid that that would not help. I recognise the great difficulties of the North-Eastern Division, for which the hon. Lady speaks, and I can say that the British Electricity Authority intend to make further increases in the generating plant. One station will come into operation this year, adding 50 megawatts.