Electricity Supply (Hansard, 26 February 1963)

§ 22. Mr. Skeffington
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the main conclusions of the committee set up by the Governor of Hong Kong to consider the future of the electricity supply in the territory.

§ Mr. Fisher
The Commission recommended compulsory purchase of the two private undertakings which at present provide the supply and their replacement by an independent public authority.

§ Mr. Skeffington
As the Committee reported more than three years ago, can the Under-Secretary tell us why no action has been taken? Will he give an assurance that this is not because of narrow, doctrinaire, partisan reasons?

§ Mr. Fisher
No. We have sent no instructions on this matter. I understand that there is a considerable section of public opinion in Hong Kong which is opposed to nationalisation, as indeed there is in this country.

§ Mr. Skeffington
Would the Under-Secretary also agree that there is a very considerable and much larger proportion of the Colony which is very much in favour of it?

§ Mr. Fisher
I do not know about that.