§ 21. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent supplies of gas and electricity were adequate during the recent spell of cold weather; and to what extent load shedding was necessary.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThere have been record demands for electricity and gas all over the country. It has been necessary sometimes to reduce voltage or pressure, but there has been only one small and short power cut which occurred as the system was taking up the steep rise in the load on Monday morning, 25th January.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Minister aware that schools have had to close and children be sent home because no cooking or heating facilities were available? Will he investigate those cases in order to avoid a repetition of similar incidents in future?
§ Mr. LloydNo, Sir, I have not heard of those cases, but I have heard that the gas street lighting system in the hon. and gallant Member's division froze up.
§ Mr. BowlesIf it is true that some consumers have been supplied with half-strength electricity and half-strength gas, do the authorities propose to charge half price for the supplies?