§ 2.35 p m.
VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the need for investment in industry, they can now make a statement on the likely programme of new power generation in the United Kingdom in the next five years.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)My Lords, the programmes for new generating plant to be commissioned in Great Britain in the five years from 1966 to 1970 provide in total for about 28,000 megawatts of new plant. The capital development programme of the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Scottish Electricity Boards are subject to the approval of the Minister of Power and the Secretary of State for Scotland respectively, and are reviewed annually. The latest programmes are at present under consideration, and final decisions have not yet been reached. These decisions will affect the amount of plant to be ordered in the next twelve months for commissioning after 1970.
VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, are we to understand from my noble friend's reply, for which I thank him, that the planned programme which has hitherto been delayed will in fact start within the next twelve months?
§ LORD CHAMPIONNo, my Lords. Progress on the plant which is to be commissioned before 1970 will be going on. The orders have been given, and the building will start. The programme which is at present under review is for plant which would be commissioned after 1971; and, as I have said, my right honourable friend is not yet in a position to announce his decision on this very important matter.