§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement upon the progress of rural electrification in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe Electricity Boards have a duty, under the 1947 Electricity Act, to secure, as far as practicable, the extension of electricity to rural areas. Considerable progress has been made since vesting date, but it is not possible to give detailed statistics on extensions to rural areas other than supplies to farms. For progress on farm connections I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply made today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.
It has not been possible to allow unlimited investment in the supply of electricity, but the reply given by my right hon. Friend shows that rural investment has had its full share of the resources available and the Government are fully alive to the needs of rural areas.