§ 13. Mr. Hastingsasked the Paymaster-General if he will give a general direction to the Central Electricity Authority to provide an alternate supply of electricity to all areas so that all current may not be eliminated in cases of severe storm.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. The electricity authorities are already spending large sums to safeguard supplies during emergencies and the cost of attempting to provide against all risks would be prohibitive.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the Paymaster-General realise that in the Kingwood area of South Oxfordshire on 30th June electricity was cut off for two and a half hours; that that area includes a moderate sized hospital and other important institutions? Cannot something be done to avoid that sort of inconvenience? How many areas during the recent storms have been in a similar position of having their electricity cut off for several hours?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe weather conditions were quite exceptional on 30th June, and there were reports of interruptions in supply from four areas. This is a very important matter, but it is impossible to provide for every contingency. The individual area boards are anxious to do what they can, particularly for hospitals. If I can do anything to help, perhaps the hon. Member will let me know.
§ Mr. Grant-FerrisDoes my right hon. Friend realise that there are many parts of the country, especially in my constituency, which have no supply of electricity at all. Will he see that they are given priority?
§ Mr. MaudlingOne must measure one priority against another.
§ Mr. RobensWhile accepting what the right hon. Gentleman says about the impossibility of supplying an alternative on the grid system, is it not the case that all hospitals have an alternative emergency supply for operating theatres? If there is a case of a hospital without one, is that not something with which his Ministerial colleague should deal immediately?
§ Mr. MaudlingThere is a later Question on this subject to my right hon. Friend.