§ Flight-Lieutenant Parkinasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the number of parishes awaiting supply from the West Gloucestershire Power Company and of the shortage of poles and labour at their disposal, he will relieve this company of the necessity of carrying supply two and a half miles over hilly country to the parish of Cranham by 30W granting a fringe order enabling current to be supplied by the City of Gloucester Electricity Department whose nearest supply point is only a quarter of a mile from the parish boundary.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe West Gloucestershire Power Company have now applied for and received the authorisation of the Electricity Commissioners under Defence Regulation 56A for the execution of work to carry out a scheme to supply electricity to (i) Cranham Sanatorium by September next, followed by (ii) Cranham Village and district and Painswick Hill. These extensions to Cranham form an integral part of a link main in the distribution layout of the company. In these circumstances, the question of a Fringe Order by the Electricity Commissioners does not arise.
§ Flight-Lieutenant Parkinasked the Minister of Fuel and Power which of the 45 parishes in the territory of the West Gloucestershire Power Company without supply of electricity could be quickly and economically supplied by adjoining companies under fringe orders.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am having inquiries made and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. I should point out that it would hardly be reasonable for the Electricity Commissioners to grant Fringe Orders where the Power Company have statutory powers and are willing to supply, but are impeded for the time being by shortages of labour and materials.