§ 1. Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make available in the Library a transcript of evidence taken by the Hong Kong Electricity Supply Commission in 1959.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Hugh Fraser)Yes, Sir. I shall inform the hon. Gentleman when the transcript has been received and placed in the Library.
§ 2. Mr. E. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now direct the Government of Hong Kong to implement the main recommendation of the Electricity Supply Commission's Report, dated December, 1959, to take into public ownership the two electricity supply companies in the Colony.
§ Mr. H. FraserNo, Sir.
§ Mr. ThorntonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the electricity companies made it quite clear to the Commission that there was no half-way house between public ownership and unfettered private ownership? Does not the well-known doctrinaire dislike of nationalisation by the present Administration put the private electricity power companies in a very strong bargaining position?
§ Mr. FraserI have full confidence in the way in which the Governor is handing the matter. There is no evidence that the present negotiations have affected the supply of electricity to the consumers. Furthermore, the restriction on the distribution of dividends has created a large reserve which can be put to good use in the necessary development of electricity supplies in the Colony.