§ 39. Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Power what is the margin between the maximum recorded demand on the electricity grid system for the present winter so far and the total of generating plant and interrelated transmission capacity available and ready to supply that demand at the time it occurred.
§ Mr. FreesonThe daily availability of generating plant varies and is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. The maximum demand for the winter so far has been 37,735 MW.
§ Mr. PalmerDoes not my hon. Friend agree that if the C.E.G.B. gave these much more realistic figures on the different amounts of capacity available it would be very much in its interest?
§ Mr. FreesonI have stated the gross margin available this winter previously to the House. The latest estimate is that it stands at 19 per cent.
§ 26. Mr. Michael Shawasked the Minister of Power what will be the total cost to the Central Electricity Generating Board of installing 65,200 megawatts of electricity capacity by 1973–74.
§ 31. Mr. McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of Power how much capital it will cost to increase electricity capacity to 54,000 megawatts by 1973–74.
§ Mr. FreesonLast year's investment programme of the electricity boards in England and Wales related to a forecast load of 54,000 MW in 1973–74 and was estimated to cost about £2,400 million in the period 1969–70 to 1973–74 of which about £1,500 million was for the Central Electricity Generating Board. The investment programme will be reviewed in the light of the Electricity Council's recent load forecast.
§ Mr. ShawIn view of the recent forecast, and the reduction in the levels forecast in it, would the right hon. Gentleman say how much the estimated excess capacity over the 17 per cent. margin is likely to cost?
§ Mr. FreesonNot without notice. I repeat that the responsibility for any over-estimating must lie with the Government that preceded us.
§ Mr. RidleyIs the Minister aware that on the figures he has given this afternoon he has reduced electricity capacity by 18,000 megawatts by 1974–75, which represents a saving of £400 million to the public purse, for which he should be grateful to the Opposition?
§ Mr. FreesonIf the hon. Gentleman chooses to repeat himself on this matter, I must repeat that he was a supporter of a Government which prepared the over-investment that he is so busy criticising these days.