§ Mr. Montgomeryasked the Minister of Power what report he has received under Regulation 21 (c) of the Electricity Supply Regulations, 1937, on the two breakdowns of electric power in Newcastle on 23rd February; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GeorgeUnder Regulation 21 (c), the North Eastern Electricity Board notified my right hon. Friend of a failure of supply in the Longbenton area between 4.39 p.m. on 22nd February and 2.30 a.m. on 23rd February caused by damage to one of the Board's feeders during street excavations by an outside contractor. A further breakdown occurred in the same area at 8.19 p.m. on 23rd February of which notification was not required under Regulation 21 (c) as it lasted for less than two hours: this failure was caused by a cable fault which might have been related to the original failure. The Board is taking steps to strengthen the distribution system in the area.