§ 32. Mr. Millanasked the Minister of Power what arrangements exist for consultation between the Electricity Council and the South of Scotland Electricity Board in planning expansion of the generation and distribution of electricity supplies.
§ Mr. WoodThe chief officers of the Scottish Boards attend the Electricity Council's regular conferences of chief officers of electricity boards in England and Wales, where matters of common interest are discussed. The Council also organises close collaboration in research and development. In addition, the South of Scotland Electricity Board and Central Electricity Generating Board have arrangements for direct consultation.
§ Mr. MillanDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that these arrangements are adequate, and that, despite the division of responsibility for generation between the C.E.G.B. and the South of Scotland Electricity Board, the country as a whole gets the most economic electricity supplies?
§ Mr. WoodCertainly. The fulfilment of the demand for electricity directly north of the border is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the responsibility of the South of Scotland Electricity Board. This Board will decide for itself how it can most economically provide the electricity for that demand. If it wants some from England, it will ask the C.E.G.B. to 639 supply it. If it decides to develop its own electricity, it will make the necessary preparations.