HC Deb 05 November 1968 vol 772 c678
25. Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power whether, in his forthcoming legislation on the structure of the gas industry, he will consider empowering it to lay electric cables as part of total energy schemes.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend has no such proposal in mind at present.

Mr. Lane

In view of the very high thermal efficiencies achieved by some of these schemes in the United States, has the Minister any plans in this Session to get rid of some of the rigidities in structure of our nationalised energy industries?

Mr. Freeson

That is a rather different question from the question about power to lay cables. If we are to look at this question it should not be considered solely from the point of view of one of the fuel industries, for there is an interest in this right across the board.