§ 3. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Power by what criteria he is guided in exercising his powers of general direction to the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Authority and the Gas Council.
§ Mr. WoodIt has not been necessary so far to give general directions to the National Coal Board or to the Electricity or Gas Councils. The criterion of national interest prescribed in the statutes remains unchanged.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf that is so, would it not be an excellent criterion to start with to ensure that the Gas Council does not import quantities of methane which are detrimental to the interests of the nationalised coal industry, and, equally, that the Government should direct the Central Electricity Authority to switch over as rapidly as possible from oil burning to coal burning so as to help the National Coal Board?
§ Mr. WoodOn the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I am sure he will be aware of the action already taken. On the first part, I am in some difficulty because it raises hypothetical circumstances in the future. I notice that when the right hon. Gentleman was making his speech at the beginning of nationalisation he warned us:
It depends on the circumstances, but beyond that it would seem to me to be improper to proceed."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th May, 1946; Vol. 422, c. 1822.]
§ Mr. ShinwellTo what is the right hon. Gentleman referring when he speaks about "circumstances in the future" and to "it would be improper to proceed"? Is he taking something out of its very rational context?
§ Mr. WoodThe right hon. Gentleman mentioned the importation of liquid methane and I was merely saying—[Interruption.] I thought the right hon. Gentleman mentioned this just now and I took it to be a foreshadowing of possible events in the future. I was merely drawing his attention to his own speech, which seemed to reflect rather relevantly on this matter.