HC Deb 03 February 1947 vol 432 cc301-2W
Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary at State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Jamaica Public Service Company is converting the electricity supply in many parts of the island from 60 cycles to 40 cycles; and what action he proposes to take in view of the fact that this means that radio sets, electric motors, or any other equipment imported from Great Britain the U.S.A. or Canada cannot be used without costly re-wiring.

Mr. Creech Jones

According to my information, by far the greater part of the electrical systems in Jamaica provided by the company named, at present operates on 40 cycles. In view of the present difficulty in obtaining supplies, particularly of rotational equipment, representations have been made as to the desirability of converting the entire electrical frequency of Jamaica, wherever necessary, from 40 cycles to a standard frequency of 50 or 60 cycles and I have been asked to obtain for the Government of Jamaica an impartial report by consulting engineers in the U.K. on this question. A report of this nature has now been received by me and is being forwarded to the Government of Jamaica who will, I have no doubt, see that full opportunity is given to all interested to consider the question further.