§ 9. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to enable him to contribute to the extra cost involved in modifying and repairing new Central Electricity Generating Board generating plant which has not worked properly because of design faults, thereby relieving the Board of those costs.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. The C.E.G.B. lays down the performance specifications for its plant and is responsible for ensuring that its contractors meet them.
§ Mr. CoxHow does the Minister attempt to justify that answer? Why should a State industry be called upon to pay what is estimated to be between £35 million and £40 million towards the repair and modification of this generating plant, which was supplied to it by private industry? Is this yet another example of the way in which the Government intend to hamper and hinder the activities of State industries?
§ Sir J. EdenThese are largely matters for the contractual relationship between the C.E.G.B. and its main suppliers of plant. They are working it out together.
§ Sir R. ThompsonCan my hon. Friend tell me any good reason why the State enterprise should not pay for its mistakes as the rest of us do?
§ Sir J. EdenThe plant manufacturers enter into a contract with the C.E.G.B., and I am sure that it is right that the two parties to the contract should resolve these difficulties.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the Minister draw the attention of the Board to the very useful Report on the subject prepared by the Select Committee on Science and Technology?
§ Sir J. EdenI am aware of that Report.