HC Deb 17 January 1967 vol 739 cc11-3
11. Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Minister of Power whether he expects that the Central Electricity Generating Board will be able to meet the demand for power this winter.

Mr. Marsh

Yes, Sir. Although I am still not satisfied with the margin of capacity which the Board has in hand, it should suffice unless there are unexpected breakdowns or unusually severe weather conditions.

Mr. Jenkin

Will the Minister accept that he has only been saved from a considerable risk of substantial breakdown by a much lower level of industrial demand as a result of the squeeze, and will he be prepared to chalk that up as something to be said for it?

Mr. Marsh

No, Sir. I think that a great deal of credit goes to those people working in the nationalised industry on this occasion for their work. Plant availability is high—running at about 88 per cent.—more plant is in use, and the programme for summer overhauls was completed by the end of October. Hon. Members opposite should join with us in congratulating those who have worked so hard to achieve this result.

16. Mr. Alison

asked the Minister of Power what forecast has currently been adopted by the Electricity Council in conjunction with his Department for the maximum electricity demand, in megawatts, for the winter of 1970–71; and what assumptions about the rate of economic growth underlie this forecast.

Mr. Marsh

The Electricity Council's last forecast, which was adopted in January, 1966, implied a national maximum demand of 51,100 MW. in 1970–71 on the basis of the economic growth assumptions in the National Plan. The review of its forecast, on which the Council is now working, will assume lower growth rates.

Mr. Alison

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether any current power station projects are being phased over a longer period, or are we simply to go on with the momentum generated in the earlier programme, taking no account of the lower growth rate, and without any consideration at all of the shortage of capital in private industry at present?

Mr. Marsh

The Council's review will not be completed until the spring. Clearly, any alterations that need to be made in terms of investment plans will be made in the light of that review.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is the Minister aware that a reduction in the national growth rate from the 4 per cent. postulated in the National Plan to the actual level of 1 per cent. today will result in a saving of £260 million a year in electricity investment?

Mr. Marsh

I do not have those particular figures—

Sir G. Nabarro

I worked them out.

Mr. Marsh

It is precisely because I assumed that they were the hon. Gentleman's own figures that I did not want to take them too literally.