§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) on what date application was made by the Markinch Gas Light Company to lay mains for the Croft and George Street housing schemes of the Markinch Town Council; on what date authority was granted to them; and why there was no prior consultation with the town council;
(2) if he is aware that a considerable waste of capital expenditure has resulted from his granting permission to the Markinch Gas Light Company to lay gas mains to service local housing schemes in Markinch which the local authority had decided should be serviced by electricity; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in future no authority,to lay mains is granted without prior consultation with the local authority.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe Markinch Gas Light Company applied to my Department by letter, dated 29th August, 1945, for authority to purchase 422 yards of pipes stated to be required in connection with building programmes for 63 houses proceeding at the George Street and Croft sites in Markinch. The authority was despatched 203W on 7th September, 1945. Except in minor cases such as this where only a relatively small quantity of material is involved, my Department asks gas undertakings for corroborative evidence that the mains are required for approved housing schemes. In this case, there appeared to be some urgency, and the necessary authority was given without delay. As regards the policy of the local authority, my Department was informed that the Markinch Town Council had included a sum of£ 213 in respect of gas services in the estimates for the houses on these sites.