§ 86. Mr. Goochasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will review the priority categories prescribed for the issue of licences for poles for electricity development in the rural areas; and will he consider the possibility of acquiring suitable poles from landowners in the districts not yet served.
§ Mr. GaitskellI regret that I can hold out little hope at present of extending these priority categories, as the supplies of poles are insufficient to meet all demands within the categories now accepted as essential. Arrangements already exist for the acquisition of suitable standing timber from local landowners, but if my hon. Friend knows of any landowners willing 99W to sell trees suitable for poles, the information should be passed on to the Board of Trade which is the Department responsible in this matter.
§ 87. Mr. Goochasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will facilitate the supply of electricity to the various parishes in the Erpingham Rural District Council area of Norfolk, not only to farms and farm premises, but also to the homes of the farm workers.
§ Mr. GaitskellSome progress has, in fact, been made in supplying electricity to the Erpingham area, but as in other rural districts, progress is held up by shortage of materials, particularly poles. I regret that owing to the shortage it is not at present possible to include existing houses already provided with other forms of lighting and heating within the priority categories.