§ 33. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Power if he is aware that the Central Electricity Generating Board has officially stated that it has no plans either now or at the end of a review period for building a power station in Durham; and, in view of the fact that this conflicts with the policy of Her Majesty's Government, what further proposals Her Majesty's Government have for power supply in Durham.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. John Peyton)The policy of Her Majesty's Government remains as stated by my right hon. Friend in the House on 31st January. He then made it clear that the construction of a power station in Durham so far ahead of local electricity requirements would not be justified.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes not that Answer—an Answer which I welcome, as I am sure all my colleagues from the North-East will welcome it—mean that the statement made by the Central Electricity Generating Board is at variance with the statements made by both the Prime Minister and Lord Hailsham?
§ Mr. PeytonI am not responsible for statements which are made by the Generating Board, nor am I responsible in particular for the construction put upon these statements by newspapers. I think that the misunderstanding has all arisen as the result of one article, for which my Department is in no way responsible. I think that the right hon. Gentleman is fully aware of the situation and I can only repeat that the policy is quite unchanged.
§ Mr. ShinwellAm I to understand from that reply that the Government are still in favour of proceeding at some stage with an electricity power station in Durham?
§ Mr. PeytonIt is quite clear that within two years the whole matter will be reviewed. So soon as local demand justifies it, plans will be made for building a power station in Durham. This has been the position all along.