14. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he intends to give his decision about the proposed extension of the North Western Electricity Board's main, known as the Deepdale Spur, near Ullswater.
§ Mr. RentonThe National Parks Commission has made representations about part of the Board's proposals; and discussions have been proceeding in the hope that agreement might be reached. This, however, has not proved possible, and my right hon. Friend is therefore reexamining the problem.
Mr. VaneIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that, after long consideration, the Lake District Planning Board and the North-Western Electricity Board came to agreement about the route of this short spur and that since the middle of January the National Parks Commission has been displaying discreditable delaying tactics? Is he aware that local patience is just about running out and that some member of the National Parks Commission, perhaps the chairman himself, may soon be thrown into the lake?
§ Mr. RentonI am aware that the Lake District Planning Board approved of the line being erected. I cannot accept what my hon. Friend says about the National Parks Commission. It has its duty to do. It has now decided that it cannot 663 agree to part of the line being put overhead. Therefore, it is now for my right hon. Friend, who has only recently heard about this decision, to re-examine the matter in the light of it.