§ Sir O. PHILIPPSasked the Secretary of State for War whether the electrical power plant at the munitions factory, Queensferry, North Wales, has been lying idle for about 12 months, notwithstanding the fact that there is a shortage of electrical energy in the district, and that industrial development is thereby being retarded; and whether he can now see his way to authorise, without further delay, the sale of this plant to the Corporation of Chester or any other would-be purchaser who will undertake at once to provide electrical power to works in the locality at a reasonable cost?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe electric power plant at Queensferry has not been idle for twelve months, as power has been generated to a small extent to meet the requirements of the factory in connection with wagon repair work and for412W the factory housing estate. The question of the future of the factory is now receiving consideration, and it is hoped shortly to ensure the fullest development of the factory electrical energy. It should in any case be pointed out that the offer to purchase the power plant so far made by the Chester Corporation is totally inadequate, and the Government would not be justified in coming to an arrangement which would involve a heavy loss on a valuable power plant.