§ 37. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the aggregate sum of money represented by current licences issued by his Department for building work by the British Electricity Authority for headquarters, offices, administrative centres, and showrooms; what check is maintained by his Department to assure the terms and money limit of each such licence is strictly complied with; and what further action he now proposes to take to regulate such matters, in view of the occurrences at Scarcroft at the Yorkshire Electricity Board headquarters.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI am informed that the authorisations issued covering work of this nature amounted to £262,537 during the financial year 1951–52, and £769,307 in the previous year. The Department does not possess a staff of architects and accountants duplicating those 872 employed by electricity boards, such as would be necessary to check all work in progress. I am considering what alterations in the present system are required.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes my right hon. Friend realise that private industry is subject to a very close degree of control in this matter? Would it not be propitious for the nationalised industries to relinquish their favoured and privileged position, which has led to the scandalous revelations at Scarcroft?
Mr. LioydI have made inquiries into this matter. I am bound to say that the procedure adopted by the Ministry of Works does not appear to differ from the practice adopted in my Ministry.