HC Deb 21 February 1967 vol 741 cc1406-7
8. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Power if he will give figures for the estimated development and capital expenditure of the Central Electricity Generating Board for the next five years.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend's predecessor approved in December, 1965, a programme then expected to require capital expenditure of £2,035 million over the five years 1966–67 to 1970–71. Since then revisions to the programme, which would reduce this total, have been discussed but are not yet settled.

Mr. Roberts

Could my hon. Friend at least give us some idea of the number of nuclear-powered generating stations which are envisaged between now and 1970 and where they may be located?

Mr. Freeson

That is another question and would require notice.

Mr. Alison

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the forward capital plans are governed by the cuts in investment in electricity generating announced in July as a result of the stringency measures or the increase in the 1967–68 Estimates announced as a result of the desire to prevent unemployment?

Mr. Freeson

As I followed that question, it seems that the hon. Gentleman is asking whether there will be a catching up in any of the marginal cuts which operated earlier this year—

Mr. Alison

I want clarification on this. We have had an announcement of cuts in electricity investment, in July, and now of an increase to compensate for the drop in private investment.

Mr. Freeson

The hon. Gentleman is mistaken. There has been no announcement of the programme yet, but we expect to make it very soon.