§ 56. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total sum allocated to rural electrification in 1953; how this compares with expenditure in the three preceding years; and, in view of the paramount need for increased farm production, whether he will now remove all restrictions on capital expenditure for rural electrification to stimulate farm mechanisation and act as a concomitant to the restoration of Income Tax initial allowances in the 1953 Budget proposals which cover farm machinery among other things.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThe investment programme approved each year contain; a global sum for the electricity industry and the Government does not make specific allocations for rural supplies. My right hon. Friend expects that the allotment this year will permit more rural electrification than last year.